20 Haku

As they sat around talking a small boy walked in and hurried over to Tazuna.

"Are you o.k. grandpa? I was afraid I was never going to see you again."

Tazuna smiled and gave the little boy a hug. "I'm fin Inari." He turned to where the ninja were watching them. "Everyone this is my grandson Inari. Inari the fellow lying down is Kakashi and that is Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata." He smiled at the boy. "These brave ninja have protected me and their going to help me finish the bridge and rid us of Gato."

The boy looked past his grandfather at the strangers with real interest. "You're here to fight Gato?"

The blonde one smiled at him and nodded. "That's right! We've sworn to protect your grandfather from any bad men who might want to hurt him. In fact I'd like to think we're being just a little heroic." Naruto thought of his father.

The boy sent him a hurt look and suddenly seemed on the verge of tears. "You're an idiot!" The boy shouted. "You're all gonna die! Don't you know there's no such thing as heroes?" The boy immediately fled.

"Hey you twerp!" Kiba shouted.

"Kiba be nice he's just a little boy!" Hinata scolded.

"Inari! Come back and apologize to our guests." Tsunami called after her son.

Tazuna looked to his guests. "I am very sorry about that; please forgive my grandson's rude behavior. There are… reasons."

Naruto shrugged. "No problem." He stood up. "Please excuse me." He wanted to find the boy and try to assure him that they had not come all this way to simply die. He went to the second floor and found a door with a small carving on it that said, 'Inari.' He was about to knock when he heard sobs.

"Daddy." A broken cry came from the other side of the door.

Naruto paused. He then slowly turned around and went back downstairs.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next day Kiba and Hinata came to a halt on some tree branches a couple miles from the Tazuna home. Kiba had put a trickle of chakra into his nose which gave him a hundred times better sense of smell.

"Anything?" Hinata asked just a little nervous.

But Kiba shook his head. "Nothing at all. So far the morning patrol looks like a cake walk."

"I hope things stays quiet." Hinata said softly.

"Hah! Not a chance!" Kiba said eagerly. "We'll definitely have to fight again sooner or later. And next time I'm sure we won't just be watching!"

"You really want to fight?" She asked.

Kiba looked at her in surprise. "Don't you?" It was then that the radio communicator hissed to life.

"This is blonde boy to dog boy and pretty girl. What's your status?"

Kiba switched his communicator to send. "We're wrapping up the morning patrol we haven't found anything blonde boy. How are things at your end?"

"The bridge is quiet. I've actually got a hundred of my clones running around helping with construction."

Kiba laughed. "Are they all making minimum wage?"

Naruto's laughter came back over the com link. "No, I'll donate my labor."

"Say blonde boy when we get back thank your mom for getting us these radio communicators. I know they're not standard equipment and I know they're expensive."

"Yeah well, when it comes to protecting me kaasan has never been one to scrimp. I should tell you how much custom made body armor costs some time! All right if there is anything at all contact me. Blonde boy out."

"Roger that, dog boy out." Kiba smiled at Hinata. "Come on, let's finish up the patrol and get some lunch!" Hinata followed quietly behind her teammate.

The day passed quietly for both parts of team seven.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning before sunrise Naruto left the Tazuna home. He hadn't worked the sword in a week and wanted to get in a couple hours of practice before breakfast. The only ones awake as he left were the clones who were guarding the house. They would inform everyone what he was doing and when he'd back. And of course he had his radio communicator on.

XXXXXXXXXX

Haku got his basket and quietly exited the building. Zabuza was sleeping soundly. He would go find the herbs he needed to brew up the medicinal tea. Zabuza hated the taste but always drank it. It was still pre-dawn hopefully he could find what he needed and be back before Zabuza awoke.

XXXXXXXXXX

As Haku was busy gathering up the roots and grasses he needed he spotted a white carnation. He smiled, and even though it was silly he plucked it and put it in his hair. He knew it was childish but he liked it. As he stood up he heard someone grunting not too faraway. It was almost dawn and the sky was light enough to see without any problem. Being a bit curious, and certainly not being afraid, he decided to investigate. He came upon a clearing and there was the blonde in the red and black body suit working with his sword. Haku simply stood still at the edge of the clearing and watched. As the blade slashed and jabbed through the air Haku noticed the beautiful footwork and the grace of movement. He compared it to how his master trained. Zabuza's sword work was all straightforward slices and attacks. They were brutally effective but hardly what anyone would call graceful. But then again given the massive size of his blade many of the blonde's moves would have been impractical or even impossible. Haku as aware that the proper course of action would have been to quietly withdraw. Yet he was entranced by the beauty of what he saw. It was like watching a wonderful ballet or theater performance. One simply wanted to stand there and admire the artistry. After about five minutes the ninja finally came to a halt in the middle of the clearing. He seemed to be breathing heavily. His back was turned but Haku could notice the blonde had the sword resting on a shoulder.

"Hello." Naruto called out. He slowly turned around so he could face the stranger standing there at the edge of the woods. "I was wondering if you would introduce yourself. Since you haven't allow me to introduce myself." He gave a polite bow. "I am Naruto, a ninja from Konohagakure."

"Oh, I apologize, but I did not want to disturb you." Haku took a couple steps forward into the clearing. He too bowed. "I am Haku and I am originally from a small village in Water country."

Naruto smiled. "Well I hope you won't take this the wrong way Haku but except for my mom and my girlfriend you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

Haku smiled. "Well thank you, but I think you should know I'm a boy."

"What?!"

Haku tilted his head and grinned. "Do you require proof?"

"No!" Naruto began to blush. No way! He's like miles prettier than Ino!

Haku had a good laugh. "I do apologize for disturbing you. To be quite honest I thought your training was simply beautiful and wanted to watch. It almost reminded me of ballet."

Naruto smiled and tried to get over his embarrassment. "Well thank you the forms are actually called 'dances.' There are five of them. The one I was just doing was called the, 'dance of the lilies.'"

"I had never heard of that." It was true; Zabuza had never mentioned such a fact. "You are obviously very skilled with your blade. Tell me why are you out here all alone so early in the morning?"

"Well to keep my skill sharp and to keep improving. I'm pretty good now but I'm no blade master like my mom."

"Really how far along are you?"

"Well there are five levels of skill to the blade. I am only at the second so I still have a ways to go."

Haku gave him a curious look. "Tell me why do you work so hard?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was just wondering. You mentioned your mother and your girlfriend. Do you work so hard for their sakes and the sakes of others who are precious to you? Or do you do so for your own satisfaction?"

Naruto smiled one of his big smiles. "Everything I do is for the people that I love. For my mother, my girlfriend, my older brother, my godmother, my aunt, my granddad, my friends, and for every single person in my village. They are all precious to me. My dream is to be Hokage one day. That is what we call our supreme leader. I want to be Hokage so that I can always watch over and protect everyone."

Haku couldn't help but compare that to Zabuza's dream. He also wanted to rule his homeland, but not so he could help others. He lusted for power the way some men lusted for young flesh or the way Gato lusted for money. "I can understand that, working so hard for those who are precious to you." Haku sent him a look tinged with real jealousy. "You are truly fortunate Naruto to have so many precious people in your life. For me there is only one person, but he is more precious to me than anything. I would do anything for his sake. You know I truly believe that when people are protecting something precious to them they truly can become as strong as they need to be."

Naruto nodded. "That is very true."

Haku nodded. "Well if you will excuse me I really must be going home now." He paused. "It was a real pleasure to meet you Naruto. Please do not find this rude, but I sincerely hope we do not meet again." He turned to go. "Though I fear we will."

As Haku began to leave Naruto spoke in a casual tone. "You know Haku I've managed to develop some very keen senses."

Haku halted and looked back over his shoulder. "Really?"

Naruto nodded. His sword was still in hand resting against his shoulder. "Yes, for instance I can tell that even though you are not molding chakra at the moment that you have the ability to do so. More to the point I recognize your chakra signature as that of the ninja I fought two days ago."

Haku slowly turned about to face him. Naruto simply stood where he was calmly eying him. "I see." Haku tilted his head and eyes him curiously. "Are you going to attack me?"

"No."

"Why not? I am currently unarmed. Were you to attack me you would have an excellent chance of killing me."

Naruto shook his head. "I don't kill unless I have to. Were this battle or had my mission goal been to kill you I would have done so. But at this moment we are not in a battle and my mission is to protect Tazuna not kill anyone. You said before that we were not enemies. Well I agree with you."

"Other ninjas would not feel that way." Haku said quietly.

"Like Zabuza?"

Haku nodded. "He would not pass up the opportunity to remove an obstacle to his goal."

"Well fortunately I have different role models; my mom and my older brother and my dad. I'll do what I have to but I don't fight or kill needlessly." He sighed. "You know if you and Zabuza left it would be over."

Haku shook his head. "I am afraid that is quite impossible. For Zabuza-sama failing or declining this mission is not an option."

"Why?"

"Because the reward will help him to achieve his dream."

Naruto shook his head. "Even though it seems we are bound to face one another again I still won't attack you unless you attack me first." With that he put his sword back into its scabbard. (As it had been drawn for training rather than battle, there was no need for blood.)

"You are very honorable Naruto." Haku looked very sad. "If things were different I would very much like to call you friend."

Naruto looked at the boy consideringly. "You're obviously very honorable as well. Why do you show Zabuza such loyalty? I read about him in the Bingo book I know he butchered an entire class of students at his academy. I know he tried to overthrow his government and became a missing nin. He's a cold hearted mercenary. How does someone like that get such loyalty?"

"Do not speak of Zabuza-sama that way!" Haku said. "He is my one and only precious person." And suddenly Haku wanted, no needed for Naruto to understand. "Once I was precious. For I belonged to my parents. I was born in a snowy little village in the land of Water. I was happy; my parents were good kind people. But just as I was getting old enough to really notice the world around me something happened."

"What?" Naruto asked feeling entranced.

"Blood, my blood." Haku spoke sadly.

"What are you talking about?"

"My father killed my mother and tried to kill me." Haku said matter of factly. Naruto gasped and simply stared at the other boy.

"Why?" Naruto choked out.

"The land had seen generations of non stop warfare. Among its people those who posses kekkei genkai, skills that come out of our genetic inheritance, are loathed abominations." Haku continued in a calm tone. "The kekkei genkai refers to clans whose bloodlines give them powers like mine. Inherited skills that were exploited and twisted, used to cause horrible slaughter. Until we ceased to be looked on as warriors or even weapons, but were condemned as the harbingers of doom. After the wars were over we who possessed this trait were hunted. Only able to survive by hiding the existence of our skill and our bloodline away. Exposure meant certain death. We are special, we are powerful, and we are feared. My father learned that my mother came from such a clan and before I even realized what I was about to do… I killed him." Haku paused for a good bit. Naruto thought he had revealed all that he had meant to. But in a weary voice the boy continued. "And then I knew what I was. It was the most painful thing, and I was forced to accept it."

"What?" Naruto couldn't help but feel the boy's pain.

"That I was alone in the world, superfluous, unwanted, shunned. I was all alone, and I knew that if I died no one would care or even notice." Haku paused again and tears fell from his eyes. "That was when Zabuza-sama found me. He adopted me, even knowing of my kekkei genkai. The very thing that others hated me for he not only accepted but cherished and wanted!" Haku smiled as his tears fell. "I was so happy! I was needed! I was wanted! I had someone precious to me and I would give everything for him! I'm sure you don't understand my pain Naruto. What it's like to be all alone and hated for something you were born with. But that is what I endured and that is the hell that Zabuza-sama rescued me from. And that is why I would die for him! And do so gladly so long as it helped him!"

Naruto slowly nodded. "It's true that I don't know what it's like to be all alone. For a long time the people who cared for me were few, but I was always loved and always wanted. But Haku, I know what it is to be hated because you were born with a terrible power inside you."

"You have a kekkei genkai?"

"No, sealed within my body is the Kyuubi no kitsune, the nine tail demon fox spirit." Haku stared at him. "My father was the Hokage of Konoha and when Kyuubi attacked he knew the only way to save the village was to trap the Kyuubi within a new born human child. And that is what my father did. He sacrificed his own life to transfer the demon fox into his new born son, me. My father saved the village and he is beloved, his memory honored. But from the day of my birth there have been people in my village who would have gladly murdered me. I survived only because my mother and a few others risked their lives to protect me. Even now when I walk through the village some people look at me with hatred and revulsion." He shook his head. "I don't know what it's like to be alone Haku but I do know what it's like to be hated for something you had no choice in." He looked at him. "By the way everything I just told you is known to my sensei but not to my two teammates. I ask you to please keep my secret as I will keep what you have told me in confidence."

"If it was a secret why did you tell me?" Haku asked.

"Because I wanted you to know that I understood, at least a little bit."

Haku slowly nodded. He reached up and took the flower that he had in his hair. "I would like to give you this." He approached Naruto.

Naruto eyed him but did not move. "You want to give me a flower?" He grinned a bit. "I did tell you I have a girlfriend didn't I? I don't like you in that way."

Haku grinned as well. "You are quite safe Naruto. I promise I will not try to steal you away from your girlfriend." He stood before him and held out the flower. "This is a white carnation; they are supposed to be good luck."

Naruto looked at him seriously. "Considering what is likely coming are you sure you want to wish me good luck?"

Haku nodded. "I do, please accept it."

Naruto reached out and took the flower. "Thank you." He placed it in one of his pouches.

Haku sighed. "I have no friends in this world. Other than Zabuza-sama I have no one. I wish we could have been friends."

Naruto held out his right hand. "Shake my hand Haku and we are friends."

Haku looked at his in surprise. "How can you say that when you know we will have to fight each other?"

"Because Haku that is how the world is. Sometimes friends must fight each other, not out of hate, but simply because the causes and people they follow lead to conflict. But even if the sides we are on force us to combat one another I would like us to be friends as well."

Slowly Haku lifted his hand and placed it in Naruto's outstretched palm. "Thank you my friend."

XXXXXXXXXX

Naruto watched Haku leave. He wondered what the future held and hoped there was some way he could avoid having to kill someone he considered a friend.

His radio communicator sparked to life. "Naruto-kun?"

He hit the send button. "Yes Hinata-chan?"

"Are you almost done with practice? Breakfast will be ready soon."

"I'm heading back right now. I'll see you in a bit." It was to me to get back to his team and mission.

XXXXXXXXXX

Zabuza noted when Haku returned with his basket of sharp smelling herbs. "You're back a bit later than usual. Anything happen?"

Haku smiled. "Nothing at all Zabuza-sama."

XXXXXXXXXX

Uchiha Damas looked about the Inn. "This is the place we were supposed to meet the client isn't it?"

Madro nodded. "It's the only Inn of the White Horse in this village."

Damas looked about suspicious at how empty the place was. "Have you got a bad feeling about this? I mean all the way to Rice country for a C-rank, and at the price! And who pays up front when they don't have to?"

Madro smiled. "Oh come on, the price and the up front payment were because the client insisted that the team include an Uchiha with the sharingan. Let's face it you're in high demand."

Damas shook his head. "Something does not feel right."

As he spoke a tall thin mane entered the Inn's common room. "Well hello! Are you the two Chunins who have come to fulfill my request?"

Both of them rose to their feet. "We are and you are our client?" Madro asked.

The man smiled broadly. "I am indeed. Now which of you is the Uchiha?"

Damas frowned. "I am and that tone is not appreciated."

The man laughed. "My apologies."

And suddenly Damas was screaming. He felt dozens of kunai slam into his body. He dropped to his knees shaking. Looking over he saw Madros in the same shape. "Genjutsu…" He choked out.

"Yesss." The client took out a kunai and walked over to them. He smoothly and neatly sliced open Madro's throat. Damas could only watch as his friend and partner spilled to the floor dead.

"Why? Who… are you?"

The tall thin man laughed. "I am Orochimaru the ninja of legend."

"Orochimaru?" it was a struggle just to talk never mind fight or run. "What… do you want?"

"Your body."

Damas suddenly saw a gigantic snake appear before his eyes. Just before he began screaming as his soul was torn away.