Chapter 8
A Devil's Job.
The group of six were tree hoping, or in Naruto's case flying with Mimi in his hands. Now that the team didn't have to worry about a civilian slowing them down, they can move a lot faster, that is until Zabuza called out for the group to land for the moment.
They stopped in a clearing, wondering what Zabuza wanted, he started to explain what he wanted, "Look, as much as I know you lot want to go to the Leaf Village, I think this is the time we should part ways."
Surprising everyone, including his adopted daughter Haku, Naruto was the one to ask the question, "Oh, and why is that?" Naruto was upset that Zabuza wanted to go, not knowing if Haku will go with him or not.
Zabuza let's out a sigh, knowing this was going to be difficult, especially since he noticed both Haku and Naruto seemed to be closer to one another, he was glad for her to find a friend and that he hopes that they stay that way for a long time. (Though Naruto and Haku are much "more" closer than he believes, with Tsunami)
Zabuza starts to explain, "Look, I feel that I should join the rebels to fight for Kiri's freedom, I'm not sure what Haku wants, it's up to her, as her teacher, I think she should go with you lot to learn to not be my weapon anymore, but as her father, I want her to come with me, but I would feel she would be safer with you in Konoha too."
Haku, not believing she was given a choice, usually it was Zabuza to make the call on where she should go, but now everybody was looking at her, for her choice, she was struggling.
On the one hand, she lived her whole life wanting to protect Zabuza and be his tool, but now she has become his adopted daughter and she feels that she wanted to know more about Zabuza as a daughter than a tool, to also help fix him back up when he injures himself. (mostly when he's drunk and requires the morning-after drink)
But she would also use her medical knowledge to help in the civil war, to help heal the injured and sick. (A. the medic is the important person in a war if you think about it)
But she didn't want to leave Naruto, not after everything that they've been through, especially with Tsunami, but she'll never tell anyone that.
Naruto could see she was struggling with her choice, so he walked up to her, with Mimi moving onto his shoulder, and hugs her tenderly.
Haku blushes at his tenderness, but returns it all the same, Mimi feeling she should show her support walked near Haku's face and rubs her cheek against Haku's with a little nya fallowing her, knowing that it was his way to say 'I love you and you should do what you feel is right.'
They moved apart, with Mimi back on her big brothers shoulder, looking into each others eyes, Haku saw that Naruto was both sad and happy at the same time.
A million thing were said to the two of them, but it only lasted a minuet. Taking a breath, Haku stepped away and says with a few tears, "I've decided to go with Zabuza to help save Kiri From itself with the Rebels."
Everyone was shocked, except Naruto, he understands that the Rebels in Kiri need more people like Haku to save the lives of the injured, it still hurts, but he knows that Kiri is Haku's home and understands that if it was Konoha that needs saving he'd do the same thing.
Haku, now openly crying for the one she shared her heart to, as well as her first time, (thank god Zabuza was drunk most of the time or guarding Tazuna), starts to explain why, "I-I do love you N-Naruto-K-Kun, b-but, Kiri, is my h-home, s-she needs h-h-help." She couldn't contain it anymore, her tears wouldn't stop, no matter how hard she wanted them to.
Naruto was happy, not about Haku crying, he doesn't like seeing her so hurt, but that he was happy that she loves him, she was the first person to ever say such a sweet and precious thing to him, he shed a few tears himself, but no-one could see it, why, because he pulled Haku back into the hug and trying not to upset her more, whispers to her, "I know, if my home was being attacked I'd probably turn the enemies into ashes, but that's just me,"
That got Haku to giggle a bit at him for trying to lighten the mood, "You on the other hand, you are an angel of mercy, so, please only get your hands dirty healing people and keeping away perverts, ok," She smiled at that part, oh she wasn't going to let anybody touch her unless it was Naruto, after all if anything, Naruto pretty much ruined her for other men, she shivered slightly at that thought, but she hid it so no-one would see, even if they did they'd think it was because she was still crying, she still was but not as much now.
Haku felt something furry that was tickling her cheek, looking to what was doing it, she saw a watery eyed Mimi, looking at her meowing as if to say, 'don't worry, I'll bring big brother to you myself if I have to,' of course seeing such a cute little Crabbit brushing her cheek and meowing at her, Haku couldn't help but to giggle at the furry little thing, giving it a stroke as well, with a smile at the end.
Moving away from each other, the others feeling a little out of place, though Sakura was in tears at such tragic love separation, it made her feel like she was watching one of her soaps.
Sasuke was looking somewhere else, though sakura saw that there was a few tears from his eyes and moved to give him a hug, Sasuke felt Sakura put her hand on his shoulder, quickly looking to her, she saw her smiling beautifully at him, not sure where that came from, though now she put him on the spot, feeling he should do something as well, he looked away.
Sakura, felt hurt at such a brush off, turned slightly away from Sasuke feeling like she pushed to far, that is until she felt a hand on the other side of her shoulder.
Looking towards it, her eyes widened, she saw it was Sasuke's hand, looking back towards Sasuke, she saw him looking away from her, but still had his hand on her shoulder, she also noticed a slight blush on his face and couldn't help but smile towards him with a few tears.
"Say Sasuke-kun," Looking towards Sakura with a raised eyebrow, he was still an Uchiha, he still had some pride, though what was left of it when they both woke up at that one time, "Do.. Do you think you can... Help me with my training when we get back?"
Surprised at that, he felt it may be a good idea, Sakura was the only person that he slightly opened up to and felt he owed her one, not just for opening up but for the "accident" they found themselves in when they got drunk and slept together, nothing happened sure, but it was still embarrassing for the both of them.
So with a nod of his head, unable to answer with words because of the blush, Sakura was happy to have Sasuke train her.
Kakashi was proud of his team, Sasuke was finally opening up to Sakura, Sakura was going to get serious in her training and would help Sasuke in opening up more, finally Naruto, even though he changed, for better or worse that's for the future to decide, had the power to help the village more and by the looks of things he even got himself a little girlfriend, he wasn't going to tease, considering Naruto pretty much has the same strength or more than Tsunade, he'd keep quite about it, doesn't mean he'll ask later.
Zabuza was beside himself, he was confused at the lovers embrace, as though they were dating (if only he knew), he was angry that they were hugging like lovers, yet as far as he knew they didn't "DO" anything to warrant it (again as far as he knew), yet he couldn't do anything about it because of Naruto's powers, though since Haku was going back to Kiri with him he'll ask later when the others aren't with them anymore.
Moving to their own group, Team 7 says their goodbyes for now, since Zabuza explains that if the rebels win he'll try to talk the new Mizukage into signing a treaty with Konoha, with both he and Haku becoming ambassadors for the treaty, which made Haku and Naruto slightly happy that they may would see each other again.
Both groups bowed to each other one final time then went their separate ways, with Naruto flying and Mimi on his shoulder looking concerned about her big brother, rubbing her cheek with his, he heard her meow to him, hearing her, Naruto simply smiled and rubbed her head, saying to her, "Don't worry, I'm alright, besides, we'll meet her again when she visits with Zabuza."
Hearing her big brother sound happy again, Mimi meowed cheerfully to, then she saw Naruto smile a Ryoko like smile when she is planning to pull a prank, "Besides, I want to drink Zabuza under the table again, (chuckle) it was so funny seeing him trying to get up but then knocking himself out by leaning on the edge of the table, with the table edge hitting him square on the head!" He could no longer control himself and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, of seeing one of The Seven Ninja Swordsmen getting so hammered that he falls over and conks his head with the table.
Naruto almost lost control of his flying, he nearly hit a tree, luckily with his powers he just phased through it with Mimi.
The others were worried about him for his near hit, but once he explained it was something funny he witnessed and that he'll tell them later, they carried on towards the village of Konoha, though it'll still be a day away until reached the village.
Boy, the villages will be in for a surprise of their life when "Naruto The Devil Caller" getting back to the village.