Wave

(Hokage tower - day)

Being let into the office I saw the group of four as well as the hokage and Iruka sensei look towards me upon entering. I bowed and addressed my leader. "Genin Darth Xion reporting for assistance as requested of me, what do you require?" I already had an idea as the chunin who came to fetch me at the training grounds filled me in on some details. 

The Hokage smiled my way as he introduced me the those gathered in the missions office. "Yes Xion its good you made it an in good time to, I was just informing these four that I've already granted their C rank request on the grounds that they have you as additional support." This seemed to calm iruka who upon hearing a C rank was given to this team looked like he was going to protest, but him knowing of the handful I've been on seemed to welcome the idea, others had differing thoughts.

"WHAT! Come on old man we don't need back up! We already have me the best shinobi and future Hokage on this team that should be fine enough!" Shouted an energetic ball of blond hair and blue eyes as he practically jumped through the roof upon hearing this. "Now now Naruto the Hokage is allowing us the chance to a C rank as long as Xion here is welcomed along with, you dont want to risk your chance at getting outside the village and saving a princess now do you?" An ever clam and poised Kakashi drawled out to his subordinate instanlty getting the boy to hang his head and sigh, accepting defeat in the eyes of the potential princess and glory to be had. "I agree with the Dobe but I would say we don't even need the rest of this team, just send me and Kakashi and we'll back before sundown." The ever infuriating Last Uchia never skipped a beat and all but worked up Naruto again who turned to him with fire in his eyes, "Teme!" He raged to the dark hair boy who disregarded his entire being, "Yea! Sasuke-kun could wipe the floor with any C rank even without Kakashi-sempai!" The pink haired girl all but wailled out praising the earth that the brooding Uchia graced. 

I merely took in these antics and surmised that Kakashi had done little in the growth department for the team and wondered of their ability to handle most D ranks, my trust in my Hokage outweighs any doubts though, otherwise I wouldn't be here now. Before any more outbursts could happen the Hokage cleared his throat to get the attention of the room again. "That being said none of you are going on this mission unless its all 5 of you. So you'll be needing to pack for at least a week long journey and stay in the land of waves. A bridge builder is requesting an escort and protection from bandits and robbers as he finishes up his work. Tazuna you may enter." He called out to a door that held waiting clients and in walked an obviously intoxicated old man who eyed the group with scrutiny.

He seemed ready to say some scalding words at he took in the genin who were to export him but became confused when he saw how many, "H-hey you better not expect m-more pay for more bodies guarding m-me." He all but stumbled out as the smell of alcohol filtered into the room. The hokage chuckeld at this but assured the man that the pay is the same regardless if we send one or the entire village. This sparked more outrage from naruto who insisted to be sent without backup and Sasuke wanting to be alone. All of that died down when I approached the client Tazuna and bowed to him, "It would be a privilege to help out any craftsman finish his work and we will do our upmost to ensure your safety. My name is Darth Xion and I look forward to working with you." The drunk man was shocked at my attitude and seemed to sober up a little if that was possible. "I like the big one, knows proper respect unlike those shorties." Tazuna laughed out with a smile as he patted my shoulder and eyed the hokage with his grin. 

With the proper tact that came with old age and experience the Hokage diverted the remark that the other three were taking offense to and addressed the now squad of five. "You leave within the hour so prepare any supplies you'll need and meet at the gate for your mission, dismissed." And with that all persons left to prepare for this travel ahead. 

Before I headed off I waited for Kakashi as he almost seemed surprised to see me waiting outside the building as he held his ever present orange book. Turning that suprise into an eye smile he beckoned me over. "I figured you'd like to know my fighting style and capabilities so as best to situate me in your group, as well as not saying infront of them as to provoke any one of them." Kakashi seemed to wave this idea off in an instant, "Maa, just do what you do best, i have a general idea of your ability and know you'll put it work best, besides a simple C rank escort shouldn't be an issue." I nodded to his logic and parted ways with him so that we both could prepare.

(Outside the village - midday)

"Booorriinnggg!!" Naruto yelled and still seemed to manage to sigh out. "Why can't we be fighting bad guys or saving cute princesses not doing nothing walking this old drunk home." By this point the excitement of leaving the village seemed to have worn out on young Naruto and while I may commened his fighting ability and creativity he lacked in some mental toughness. The rest of the group having grown used to his complaining already seemed to have him tuned out. 

Naruto and Sasuke lead the front of the escort while me and Sakura stood at either side of Tazuna in the middle. Kakashi brought up the rear to protect from any hidden assault or react to any in the front. While Sakura can be airheaded at times when it invokved the Uchia she still had a good head on her shoulders and a courgial enough attitude. "Darth? You've been on C ranks before what were they like?" She asked of me before I waved off the formal attitude, "Please Xion is fine, besides im not all to fond of my family name." This seemed to spark interest from the rest of the group but I figured most were interested in my previous C ranks. "And they were similar to this one. Escorts and protections and typical for a C rank given that its bandits or typical robbery type figures gunning for the client. Most ran into little to no trouble but others faced issues when incountering people who were targeting them." Tazuna seemed to stiffen, i chalked it up to worry of being sought out by these bandits so I tried to ease that worry, "But even bandits can't face up against trained genin, not mention four of them, a jonin for support makes it all the easier." Tazuna eased himself so I felt like I did right by that. "So you've fought others before?" Sasuke asked in hearing that I have had live battles before. Knowing some idea of where this would go I went at it head on, "yes and I've taken a handful of them off this world. Like I said regualr people don't match to Shinobi of any clibar especially with my fighting style and their preference for weapon based fighting." I can be blunt at honest and rather forward especially when I read between the lines so the shock on some their faces was expected, again I tried to ease them when I saw fear creeping in on the idea of killing someone else, "its to be expected when bandits attack for the thought and belief that if they kill you or scare you off whoever or whatever your guarding will have to money or means to get them food or better living. They come with the intent to kill so we have to as well to save those we care for and are protecting." My words seemed to calm them but also put the group into a silence as they thought on what I said. 

It was fast and without warning. I may have some ability to sense Chakra but I'm still only learning much about the world of being a shinobi. I may have changed here or there, grown a bit that way or this way, but the biggest change was the way I fought. One jonin I was with called me ruthless, a fair assessment since I was bloody up and down from the woild assasins of the client we were escorting at the time. I fight with intent, purpose, clarity, and anger. Turning and seeing the chains wrap around the legendary Kakashi, hearing the sound of his body ripping to pieces, then the scream from the only female in the group. I acted.

Earth was already around my arms the moment I saw trouble approach the now deceased jonin. Rage pumped in my veins as the fear spread in my comrades eyes, "One down." Said the one on the left, "Four to go." And before they could even move my fight mode as another genin comrade called it activated. "Aghhhoowwww!!! Haha!" The scream I let lose as my Chakra began flowing startled the two as they eyed my earthen gauntlets around my arms, the silence and shock from my companions only silenced the clearing even more. "Oh I've been waiting for this! To long! Much to long since I've been let loose!" I continued to rage on in what a chunin called when I went with a group of them for a badnit hideout hunt my 'second personality'. Im the ever calm and forward gentle giant for a 12 turning 13 year old but something began to turn in me and this was the battle beast before you. "Its killing time." I charged and carnage ensued.

As I sprinted towards them they recoiled but quickly steeled themselves, seemingly past how a genin was acting. But in that second of suprise my fist struck earth and a spike rose to detatch the chain they had connected to eachother, I caught Sasuke running to the one on the right ready to fight and I made way for the one on the left. 

The striking was fast and it was clear these two were chunin at least, not paying mind to that thought I caught the clawed fist heading my way with my own earthen one as it hardly brushed off anything from it, gripping the other one as it came my way it became clear to the man that these gauntlets weren't normal earth, correct he was to have worry in his eyes as he couldn't dislodge them and i wrapped my large hands around his wrists. This is where I was at home, deathly close to your combatant where a single move could mean death, and he already made the wrong one. A single leg slip here, heavy boot to the chest there, and now both of his arms were being torn off.

The scream was deafening but hardly bothered me, I turned to see the other one had gotten past Sasuke and was making his way to Tazuna but hearing his comrade scream and the sight before him stopped him in his tracks with a blood curdling roar he dashed straight for me. The smile on my now bloody features didn't shake him like it did the other genin and Tazuna but his death did not come as a revived Kakashi showed up to incapacitate the distracted chunin.

Seeing that the battle was over as one was unconscious and the other bleeding out also unconscious, i turned and made the earth sink the soon to be dead man underground. After that I made an earth Armour slink up myself and suck off any blood covering my person. When it was gone so was my battle mindest and back was the ever calm Darth Xion that most knew. Kakashi was concerned but unfazed and looked to be eyeing up Tazuna, most likely for the botched mission ranking. The other genin looked as if they'd vomit. Sakura did, Naruto tried to sooth her but she still retained enough to be angry at him and he wasn't fairing to well himself. Sasuke though looking a shade of green composed himself enough, Tazuna was in utter disbelief. Nothing out of place for me, just what battle with life and death is.

Once the group gathered themselves enough and the truth came out from Tazuna it was decided that they'd continue on with the mission. Kakashi sent word back to Kohona and where to find the still alive and now identified missing nin of the bloody mist Brothers they group set out.

I received some tentative looks hear and there but it didn't faze me, I expected it from those inexperienced with the job we work. It was nice to be worried on from Kakashi but I assured him I was quite alright and that seemed to be enough for him. Naruto was less loud, sakura was more reserved, and Sasuke seemed less pissed off and more contemplative so I felt like it was good I did what I did.

The next battle was a shit show.

Not to far out from Tazuna's home and Wave in general the mist surrounding us got deadly thick. Naruto being on edge wasn't helping anyone's nerves but me and Kakashi who seemed to be on the same line of ready for anything all the time anyways. But the arrival of an A rank missing in the Zabuzza Momochi sure put things into a different light.

We genin were in the way of two beasts facing off. While I wanted to argue with Kakashi about staying out of it I know better than to step in between two monsters ready to fight. But when Kakashi got caught and the mist settled to show the predicament we were in I couldn't help it, "I fucking told you so my man!" I all but laughed out as things started to switch in my attitude again seeing Kakashi stuck inside the water prison Zabuzza had erected. If the fear in my teammates eyes was from what we were facing or the way I was acted i couldn't tell or care for, I know what just happened, this was my fight now.

The bewildered look on Kakashi was amusing but the worry wasn't helping. "Oh quit with that look I said I know I can help but you just had to go playing hero, who cares if I'm a Genin you know what I'm capable of even if its support, haha." I couldn't suppress the chuckle as I started moving my body gearing up for war with an A rank missing nin, "No! Stop hes out of your league, take Tazuna and the others and get as far away from here as you can, his clones can only go so far!" Kakashi shouted across from me and Zabuzza laughed, "Listen to your superior boy and run before I cut you all down." To which I couldn't help but laugh at, "hehe, superior? Yea maybe if he wasn't a helpless hostage right about now. Whats the difference between him and Tazuna right now? Eh? No Kakashi this needs to happen because if we run he kills you plain and simple and then I don't have a plan to stop someone like him that's not currently tied up and he'll slaughter all of us. One. By. One." I made emphasis by pointing slowly to each of his Genin who seemed even more afraid now. "Oh I like this one Kakashi, he's got fire in him." Zabuzza talked casually with his captive who could only eye the other with scorn for toying with his charges. "Let's see him back it up." 

Upon him pulling up three water clones that began to make their way towards us i spoke quickly to the others being precise and with no room to question me. "I'm going to fight, you three while keeping Tazuna safe find a way to get the real one to have to move and dislodge his arm, oh also don't let me die, kay?" And with that my arms were underground and pulling up in their gauntlets. "Ooohh yea its killing time!" That same deranged smile took shape as made my move towards the slowly encroaching Zabuzza clones.

It was close, really really way to freakin, no way around it close. But we're alive. My arms feel ready to snap having to block swings from those massive swords, and more times than id like I'm alive from callouts from my allies to look out or a well placed kuni throw that melted one of the clones before they could cut me down, but leave it up to Naruto to make some wackass plan that actually worked. It was good teamwork by those two for how much they don't seem to get along and it really saved my bacon when I was beginning to tire out. With Kakashi free it was a different story and he was out for revenge. But the deed was done and now I'm left carrying lengthy Kakashi draped over my back since in obviously the strongest and tallest to hold the man.

Tazunas home was inviting, his daughter even more so, her son. Not so much. The food was welcomed but his attitude not so much. He's a child so I can't blame him for acting out with so much pain and suffering not only to himself but his family and village. Life tests us and some strive, while others cave. I allowed the boys to have beds for themselves and Sakura her own room. Tsunami was kind to offer up her bed but I joked that im not kicking her out of her own bed nor would I assume a beauty like her would share it with me. That seemed to quiet her and accept that I'm more than comfortable in a chair, the floor, or even the earth outside. Being a homeless child in Suna will do that, at least its not unbearably hot here, just moist. 

The next day Kakashi broke the news that Zabuzza was most likely alive and the hunter nin his accomplice, part of me guessed but couldn't be certain like Kakashi is telling us. So more training it was while Tazuna worked on the bridge and we waited for Zabuzzas return. But tree climbing was not what i had in mind. Something I already knew and had practice for long stretches in order to bring up my Chakra control, the others clearly haven't. When the others were quick to question their jonin I picked up his meaning and slowly walked over to a tree and proceeded to walk right up it. The look on those three and the appreciation on Kakashi was perfect, able to quiet them as they set to work climbing the trees and get Kakashi to see me in a better light. 

I spent my time training my skills, the things I personally worked on. Upping my speed more, building my strength, trying new things. It was time well spent even though I was tasked with watching over Tazuna. If something needed moving I moved it for them, if nothing was going on I worked my legs or practiced what I could on the earth by the bridge. All in all good times as I got to know the workers fighting for their village even with the thought of death at their doors. 

By the second day Sakura was here as she had the best control as we finished up early. I made it a point then when she asked why I was helping or working myself so much to lay into her the importance of training. "What if everyone else got incapacitated? What if they bring more ninja and you're expected to fight someone who might be better than you?" I asked in all seriousness and it seemed that without Sasuke around, or my general attitude, 'maybe I scare her?' That see seemed to understand what I was getting at and that training kept you safe because there's always a circumstance that could put you at risk. While she wasn't going all out like me seeing her do something other than sit on some boards or looking around made me feel better. 

This was the day Inari decided he had it with us and our fighting spirit laying into us. "Why do you all train so hard! Are you all looking to die so badly! There's no stopping Gato, he'll just kill all of you stop trying to hard!" Not wanting to steal anyone's thunder but also not feeling like hearing explosive words come from anyone's mouth I piped up right away, "I'm not dead yet and sure won't just be walked over, life is hard enough, why make it harder by not acting." I stated calmly as I ate the welcomed food Tsunami made for us. "That's exactly why you will die! You're so calm and cool about it all but you don't know a hard life! You don't know pain or suffering! You're just making it harder for yourself!" The fumes coming off the boy was clear, the anger pulsing on Naruto's head even more so but when he slammed his hands on the table and stood up to yell i just raised my hand to stop any outburst and similarly with Sakura it worked to get him to not, well be him. "I never compared my pain and suffer to yours like you just tried. Both my parents died when I was younger than when you lost your father. I lived on the streets with no one but myself to survive like the villagers I've talked to in your town. And like the workers who come everyday to help build your grandpa's bridge I grew tired of idling and letting life dictate my pain. I fight like them because we," I gestured to the others in the room, "know that fighting for what you believe in, and working towards it is better than laying there, complaining, and taking it day in, and day out." My calm tone and ability to lay out straight forward thoughts always seemed to have this effect on others. Naruto sat back down while I talked, the on edge look of the others seemed to somber as they reflected on my words. I ate some more but didn't stop and little Inari seemed to want to say more, "And that's why you'll see me training hard, why ill never back down, and why someday you'll learn it. I don't want to say its because you're young that you feel this way because no one wants to be told they'll understand it one day but you will. If you fight now, train now, and work now, you'll look back and be proud of what you've done. But if you lie down and take it, if you do nothing, if you complain but wont change to stop your complaining you'll have nothing good to look back on and only continue your suffering." My speech and meal done I thanked Tsunami for the food, told Kakashi I'll be sleeping and keeping watch outside and made my way.

Later when I was star gazing as I've already made my improvements around the home to keep me alert for any unwanted guests. Its rather easy to tell where things are when you upturn the earth and imbue your chakra into it. I felt Naruto approach and without turning to him, "You should rest, you'll need the energy to finish up your training." I told him as he approached. The sheepish smile and rubbing his head told me he knew but couldn't help himself. I waved my hand over regardless and patted a spot next to me which he took and sat down for a moment obviously collecting his thoughts. "So you've had it pretty hard to huh?" He voiced out much more subdued than he normally would and when I looked out of the corner of my eye I could see he was looking at the sky as well. Obviously this wasn't a side Naruto showed much, preferring his loud antics and boisterous claims more. I decided to give some dedication to this conversation if it took him so much time to seek me out and even still seem deep in thought. "Who hasn't." Was my simple reply as I turned back to the clear night sky, radiating with the stars and moon light. He seemed to want to say more but I could tell deep thoughts and talks weren't his forte so I'd indulge him to keep this going. "We all bear a weight on our shoulders and hearts." I said emphasizing it with a hand to my chest, "you can't hold your pain to another as we all have our own experiences and values. It may make it easier knowing that someone shares a similar pain but its not your own." A flash of old forgotten faces clouded my mind but I shook them off in favor of the one in front of me here and now. "All we can do is not blame them for their pain but accept them, a brother who knows what pain life can bring. Somehow sharing that pain with another lessens it, like they're holding some of it for you." Naruto seemed confused but recognition dawned his features as he flashed one of his normally ever present smiles that almost light up the night sky more than the stars and moon, "you're alright you know that. You always seemed so quiet like that bug guy in our class but you've got so much more to you. I'll share your pain anytime you need Xion, believe it!" He finished with a thumbs up and a somehow even bigger smile as I laughed and looked back to the stars, "hey hey! I'm being serious here, you're a really cool guy once I got to know you more." Naruto seemed disgruntled as his face soured in a childish way and arms crossed over his chest, "I'm not laughing at what you said but the clarity of it," confusion again dawned his looks, "ill always share your pain, your a friend and a comrade, its like the stars and the moon saying 'we'll be here tomorrow night if you want to see us.' If you're a friend ill always share your pain, just as much as your joys, ill always be there for you when you ask it, but I appreciate you honesty either way Naruto." The recognition and smile that was on his face was genuine and heartfelt. "Just don't let it get to your head and begging me to do things for ya" I smirked over at him and couldn't help but laugh as he started getting uppity and saying he's not like that and when did Sasuke show up. For a brief moment life seemed so much better than what it was.

Life was not better.

Oh it was so much worse.

All I had to see was the bodies groaning around the bridge to know that much. It seemed today was the day of their arrival. We're already down a man as Naruto over did his training as was resting back at Tazuna's. I could feel something moving over the earth on its way to the house but couldn't leave here and had to hppe Naruto was up and ready to defend the two at home. There's a fight to be had before me, one tall and bulky man with his even larger sword and another small but slender figure to his side, the hunter nin. 

"Xion, Sakura, protect Tazuna, and this time if you feel the need to jump in do it. Sasuke you take the hunter nin." Sasuke seemed excited, I was glad that I could jump in at either battle if needed. Tazuna and Sakura looked scared but determined, an improvement in my book. With the plan set battle became reality.

Its rather easy for me to reign in my fighting side, the sheer fact that I'm naturally calm helps hold that at bay. But seeing four fighters going at it separately, looking for chances to jump in really tests that resolve. 'Always growing' I remind myself as I watched the speed battle take place between Sasuke and the hunter Nin. I couldn't see a lick of Kakashi's battle as Zabuzza made the mist so thick on his part of the battle. But when those ice mirrors went up I knew where I was needed most. "Tazuna I promise to help repair the bridge but its the only material I got." Tazuna regarded me and somewhere in himself debated it but nodded his head telling me to fight.

Right as I figured out how to shape the concrete around my arms Naruto made his appearance as I knew he was on his way after I felt him leave the house but didn't have tracking dirt all the way to the bridge. Naruto being himself wasted no time to rush right past the mirrors and into the frey where Sasuke was slowly being turned into a pin cushion. 

Gauntlets formed I rushed the mirrors myself, I on the other hand inspected from the outside and noticed that all the ice was a chakra construct much like the now formed concrete around my arms. Hearing more cries from the boys within I came up with a quick plan and I could feel my mood begin to switch. "Hehe, oh hunter-sannn I don't appreciate being ignoreddd" I sang out as I made my plan a reality, first my protecting the two within the mirror using the concrete they were around to form a dome of my own around them. The clanging of senbon off rock was clear enough that it worked. Now it was time for chakra construct vs chakra construct. Mine obliterated their's. One explosive punch later and an ice mirror had a gaping hole in it slowly being reformed.

From what I saw inside they hunters image was rebounding off all the ice which I assumed they were hiding in. Making this a guessing game as much as stamina one knowing that holding these together must be draining, i could only imagine what reforming them is like. Wasting no time I continued my assault from the outside which was getting harder as the hunter knew they couldn't get to the two inside so they turned their attention outwards at me when they could. Little needles don't do much to hardened concrete. Bit by bit it was getting harder for them to reform all their mirrors until suddenly they dropped entirely. Obviously to conserve chakra as they turned entirely to me. I dropped the shell on the boys no longer need to keep that up but they both looked to battered to be of much help.

Naruto looked alright more so than Sasuke and called out for Haku to stop. 'Ah so the hunter has a name' I thought to myself but to focused on the battle at hands. Haku had speed, I had strength, they had poise, i had tenacity, they had precision, I had explosion. A battle of opposites in a way. While we kept going back and forth Naruto seemed to be tending Sasuke who looked like he was on deaths door, but right as i thought this I felt it. An oppressive aura like none I ever felt. Looking to Naruto there were waves of red chakra rolling off him in waves. I felt fear, yes, but something else bubbled in me. Joy. This small feeling of giddiness that swelled up into out blown laughter, "he. Hehehahaa!!" I cried out as Haku looked on frozen in fear. My hand gripped my head as it felt as though I was going insane at this feeling but I wasn't, I was enjoying it. Was it my fighting spirit reveling in this pure terror and anger I couldn't tell but I loved it. So much I never wanted it to go. I only looked up when I felt pain in my head and the lack of that swelling anger all around me. There was blood on my hand, 'my blood' I realized as I felt it running down my head. I was crushing my own skull I thought again but paid it no mind as I saw Naruto standing over a downed Haku but clearly not a dead one if the rise and fall of their chest was any indication. The more important thing though was seeing Zabuzza and Kakashi over there with the mist having fallen away and the mass army of bandits standing across at the end of the unfinished bridge. Gato made his move.

"Land of Wave! Its time you paid up and submitted in full!" The tiny man shouted across the clearing before seeing the forms of Zabuzza standing there alongside the Kohona nin. A sneer made its way across his features seeing his still surviving partners and the shinobi standing between him and his own nation. Zabuzza called out, "What are you doing here Gato." To which the man laughed, "Well you see you're rather expensive Zabuzza and while i had hoped you'd clear both your ranks a little i still see you've all got some fight in you which is why i brought all of these lovely fellows." Maniacal grins and sounds of affirmation sounded out in the small army, "So cut down as many as you can because that's less i have to pay but this is where our partnership ends and you die!" The bandits all around shouted their approval and looked to be making their way upon the town. 

"Our battle is over it looks like since I'm no longer being paid for the bridge builders head." Kakashi eyed the down Haku and clearly wounded Naruto, "then it appears we're allies for the time being, im low on chakra." Kakashi told the larger man who kept eyeing the approaching crowd of killers, "i can barely use my left arm but can still swing this sword if I need to." Zabuzza replied back as they weighed their options in face of the battle to come. But before anything could break out a certain genin had words to say, " Ahhhh!!! Yes a bloodbath to satisfy this feeling in my head! Oh yes! Its killing time baby!" Xion sounded out just behind the two who upon seeing his state both deducted, unhinged. 

Blood running over my right eye, enemies to many to count, all with weapons. Looking down at my stone covered arms I smirked and soon smiled my crooked smile, "ooohhh yes!!" And with that war cry and the sudden stop of the mercenary band at my out cry my sprint towards them was on. "I like the kids style Kakashi." Zabuzza smirked to the other man who seemed worried but steeled himself for the coming battle, "it comes in handy at times." Looking at the multitude of worried faces in the crowd seemed to show just how effective the young boy could be. The two of them took off as well flanking the boy as they made their own path to a section of the bandits. 

Gato scurried backwards the moment the boy started his dash but shouted out, "Its just two guys and a child! Gut them and we pillage this town! Then you'll all get paid double." Roars sounded from the men assembled as they found their resolve they began a charge at the three. But not before the manic boy sounded off before reaching them, "YES! Fight like your life depends on it! I want your all before I take the life from those murderous eyes! FIGHT!" Xion shouted as he reached the group before Kakashi and Zabuzza who were slowed from previous wounds. Leaping into the air before crashing into the approaching group he aimed to the middle of the group, "because your lives do depend on it!" He screamed high above the assembled masses shooting off his gauntlets exploding around those he was landing at but right at impact slammed his fist into the hard bridge resulting in a Shockwave of spikes rising and rushing outwards from him like an epicenter. Men were skewered and slaughtered in an instant all around, what proceeded after was a bloodbath.

I looked around me in a daze that was like coming out of trance but I was still clear as day. It was countless how many lives I had just taken but for the villagers who arrived at the back of the bridge they couldn't be happier if they cries of victory and joy were any indication. Zabuzza had thrown the final blow on Gato and let the head fly back to the villagers who couldn't be more ecstatic to see a severed head, pain will do that to you. When Zabuzza and Kakashi cleared I did what need to be done and used the bodies to mold back into the bridge clearing it of its previous carnage as well as any damage I had done to it. 

Kakashi approached me in what I knew would be worry but I long ago have accepted and gotten used to what I am and what I do in the heat of battle. He put a hand to my shoulder as I looked up into the concern on what showed of his face, flashing him a rare smile of my own i got an eye smile in return which we both appreciated now as brothers in arms. Sasuke was okay, Naruto was awe struck and screaming of their victory, Sakura was shaken but happy to see Sasuke alive. Tazuna may have been the happiest of us all with the arrival of the village ready for war and the disposal of Gato tears threatened to break from his eyes. 

The rest of the bridge building went faster and smoother than ever before. With more hands on and less to worry of it was only a few days before the finishing touches were placed and the team from Kohona as well as Zabuzza and Haku made way to leave. Tears were shed, fair wells given, and all parties went their separate ways. It wasn't long before the team was back home and in front of the Hokage giving their report of what happened.