Chapter 9

I stared at the bridge before me and.. blinked.

The others were on their guards as they noticed the many works-man laying on the ground just ahead of us. I could hear their groans in pain and decided to inform my team that they were all alive 'Their alive.. just unconscious' Kakashi turned his head and raised an eyebrow, but Sakura was the one to ask - "How do you know?" I stared straight in front and she must have noticed that I wasn't going to bother answering her as she huffed and turned back around.

Suddenly, cloudy mist began forming around us and Kakashi ordered us to be wary. The others instantly surrounded Tazuna. I, on the other hand, stayed to the side with Mayonaka right beside me. He glanced down at me and frowned. This confused me. 'What?' I finally asked with a straight face.. as usual. He shook his head before looking straight ahead again "Nothing.."

"Kakashi-sensei" Sakura began "It's Zabuza, isn't it?" At Zabuza's name, Mayonaka flinched visibly. 'What now?' "She doesn't mean.. Zabuza Momochi.. does she?" I nodded slowly "I see.. then this will be a tough fight" We both twisted our necks as a new voice spoke up through the mist.

"Sorry, I kept you waiting, Kakashi. I see you've still got those brats with you.. That ones still trembling" I glanced at Sasuke and sure enough, he was shaking. But it wasn't due to fear, no.. It felt as though he was excited. Sasuke smirked as many Zabuza water clones appeared around them "Heh. I'm trembling.. with excitment" "Go on Sasuke" Kakashi stated.

Just as the clones went in to attack, Sasuke had already cut them all. Many splashed of water could be heard as the water clones broke apart. Mayonaka whistled from beside me "Boys got some talent" he stated with a snort. "So you could see they were water clones huh? The brats improving" Zabuza said as he came forward with Haku by his side. Said boy turned his head my way and he nodded, in a way of greeting, to which I returned with my own nod. "Looks like you've got a rival, Haku" "So it seems" Was his reply.

They all conversed for a while before the fight finally began. Sasuke and Haku went straight at each other, both with the intent to kill. The sound of the metal kunai clashing resounded across the bridge. I could feel excitement burning from Mayonaka as he watched them go at it, his eyes held bloodlust. I tilted my head and tugged on his top. Glancing down at me he rose an eyebrow "What's wrong?" '..You want blood' It was more of a statement than a question. His eyes widened and he smirked down at me "Your right.. how'd you know?" 'It shows in your eyes and I can feel the excitment of battle radiating from your body'

"Sasuke!" Sakura's shrill made me turn around to see what was happening. I glanced at the direction she was looking in and saw Sasuke about to be hit by a thousand ice needles. However, just before he could get hit, he sent chakra to his feet and leaped high up into the air. Throwing shuriken down, he forced Haku back a few steps before falling back to the ground.

With speed, Sasuke got behing Haku and they both began clashing Kunai's again. Ducking down to miss being hit, Haku did not see Sasuke's incoming kick in time and got knocked to the ground where Zabuza stood. "You made a big mistake insulting these ninja and calling them brats!" Kakashi started with a straight face "Sasuke's the best young fighter of the hidden leaf village. Sakura's our sharperst mind. Naruto's our number one, hyper-active, kunckle-head ninja and Setsuna.. well, you probably know more about her than we do.. so I can't say much.. yet" I tilted my head slightly about the 'yet' part.

Zabuza looked at me and shook his head "You'd be surprised in what we don't know about her" Turning back to Haku, he smirked "Anyway.. Haku, if we keep going like this, we'll be the victims instead of them. Get on with it" "Right!" Haku stood up and was suddenly surrounded my blue chakra. He apologised to Sasuke right before activating his Kekkei Genkai. Ice mirrors surrounded Sasuke, making him trapped. Haku stepped into a single mirror and once inside, many Haku's appeared inside each other mirror.

Kakashi growled lowly and began running towards Haku's Kekkei Genkei. However, was stopped by Zabuza "If you enter this fight, you fight me" I shook my head and flashed in between the two jonin. I could feel Kakashi's stare on my back "Setsuna, get back" Ignoring him, I stared Zabuza straight in the eye and said 'Fight me'

His eyes widened before narrowing into a glare "I said this before. I don't want to fight you Setsuna" I didn't listen to him and shot a kunai at him. He didn't see it coming as I sent it with such speed and it managed to cut his left cheek. I knew that by attacking like that, he would become annoyed and wouldn't hold back whilst fighting me.

"You asked for it. I hope Sentaro doesn't come after me once he finds out I killed you" I shook my head and sighed before pushed Kakashi back a bit. "Setsuna!" He scolded "You can't fight him. He's to strong. Leave it to me" Ignoring him, I ran forward and drew my hidden sword in the blink of an eye. He didn't have much time to react and only just managed to dodge.

Silence ran past the two of us as we both stood there with our swords at the ready. "I hope your ready for this" I nodded in answer and we began our fight.

I started of by sending a barrage of kicks. Punching was rather difficult with my long sleeves so I left that option for later. One kick that I sent to Zabuza's side, was blocked with his arm. Another was blocked with a kick of his own. However, the last was when I tried kneeing him in the gut.. which, worked out well.

Jumping back, I placed my hands together to form a hand sign and thought 'Wind release: Vacuum sphere' Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled several small blasts of wind chakra. They were barely visible and due to this fact, Zabuza could not see where they were heading. As soon as one pierced his skin though, he jumped out of the way to dodge the others. On the ground, where he once stood, was a small pool of an all too familiar red liquid.

Glancing around, I tried to locate Zabuza, but the mist was becoming even thicker "Looking for me?" His voice came from behind. Just as his sword came down on me, I closed my eyes and stopped the flow of time around us for 1 exact second. This gave me enough time to move out of the way without being harmed and so that no one would notice what I did. Even Zabuza didn't know of my Kekkei Genkei. The only person who did know, was Sentaro and I wasn't planning on letting anyone else find out anytime soon.

Our fight didn't last much longer though as we turned around to see Haku falling out of one of the mirrors. A large cloud of smoke came from the side of the Kekkei Genkai, and once cleared, showed an excited blond "Naruto Uzumaki, Is here! Believe it!" he shouted.

Everyone was quiet as they stared at Naruto in disbelief "Ha! Now that i'm here, everything will be alright!" "Naruto" Sakura cried cheerfully "You know how in stories, the hero always arrives last and then kicks butt? Well, that's what i'm gonna do!" I shook my head and began walking away "Setsuna!" Zabuza called "What about our fight?" 'Next time' Was my reply as I went and stood beside Mayonaka who hadn't yet moved from his previous spot.

Once there, I noticed that he kept on staring at me, but didn't know why. So, I decided to ask straight out 'Why are you staring at me?' A smirk formed on his face and he bent down sligtly so that he was closer to my own height "I saw it" I tilted my head in confusion "Don't play dumb. I know no one else noticed. But I did. When Zabuza came at you from behind, I thought he was going to hit you for sure. But.. something happened. It was as if.. time itself stopped for a mere second. In that second, you were able to get away. It's just like when you healed me the other day.. it looked as though my wounds reversed" The smirk not once left his face as he spoke his mind.

"So.. How'd you do it?"

Seconds passed as I stared at him. I blinked once, twice and a third time before turning away. He chuckled and grabbed my chin in between his thumb and index finger, pulling my face so that I was looking at him again. "Tell me. I'm curious" I didn't answer still and kept my face expressionless, eyes dull as ever. He furrowed his eyebrows and frowned at me before letting my chin go.

Sighing, Mayonaka stated "I'll find out eventaully" I shook my head 'It is none of your business as to what I do, or what my abilities are' "But it is. Since I'll be protecting you from now on, everything to do with you is my business" I didn't answer anymore and ended our conversation there.

Turning back to the fight going on, I saw a bright like coming from Haku's ice mirrrors. It kind of looked like a Fireball Jutsu.. and Sasuke's the only one I know so far on our team who can use that. So, he must be trying to get out. I shook my head, but agreed with his way of thinking. Of course, Haku's mirrors can't be broken by a measly fireball. Soon after the fire died down, their screams could be heard as they were attacked by Senbon needles.

On the outside, Kakashi and Zabuza were beginning a battle of their own. Just as Zabuza was about to hit Kakashi in the face with a kunai knife, Kakashi blocked it with his hand and pulled up his headband to reveal his one sharingan eye.

"Ninja art: Hidden mist Jutsu" Zabuza shouted with a single hand making the sign. The mist surrounding the bridge became even thicker and by now no one could see each other. Mayonaka chuckled from beside me 'Why are you laughing?' I asked, still keeping a look out over the mist "I can easily see through this mist due to the fact that I am a panther" I nodded, understanding his point. Panthers do have good eyesite. I watched as Sakura ran past us and over towards Tazuna "Follow my lead Tazuna and whatever happens, stay close" "Right"

"Urgh!" Naruto's voice came out in a grunt of pain from inside the ice mirrors. I turned to face them, but was not able to see that far through the mist. I could tell that Kakashi was thinking the same as me 'They won't be able to hold on much longer' Glancing back over to Kakashi, he had his eyes closed. Zabuza was no where to be seen as well.

Suddenly, Kakashi spun on the spot to face Tazuna and Sakura, his eyes wide in worry. As soon as I looked where he was looking, Zabuza appeared behind the bridge builder with his large sword drawn. Just as he swund it down, Kakashi appeared. But, it was too late and our sensei couldn't dodge. Sakura's scream filled the air and resounded across the bridge.

"Kakashi-sensei" Sakura's voice was filled with concern as she looked over Kakashi and his wound from where she stood behind the bridge builder. "You were late Kakashi" Zabuza started "You let your concern for those punks cloud your mind" He chuckled darkly.

All of a sudden, a tremendous amount of Chakra came from inside the ice mirrors. I could feel Mayonaka flinch as he, too, could feel it. Red chakra began swirling out of control and It felt full of anger, hate, rage and bloodlust. All negative energy. It was as if it was evil itself. 'Is the nine-tails out of control?' I mused to myself. From the first moment I saw Naruto, I could tell he held the Kyuubi. Anyone with a good sence should be able to.

Mirror by mirror began to break as though someone had punched straight through it and I could feel Naruto's bloodlust growing by the minute (Hehe! Rhymed :P)

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Kakashi pull out a scroll and wipe his blood down it 'Summoning Jutsu?' "Zabuza" Sensei started "I don't mean to spoil your fun, but how about we put an end to this now?" He twirled the scroll in the air around him as he spoke and it looked as though he was dancing from here. I tilted my head and heard Mayonaka laugh "Is the twirling of the scroll really all that necessary?"

A loud crash sounded to my ears. I turned around just in time to witness Haku flying out from one of the Ice mirrors, Naruto soon following behind him. The blond boy looked animalistic. His canines pointed, his nails longer and his hair spiked up. The most interesting was his eyes - they were red with slits for pupils.

Haku stood up and as Naruto ran at him on all fours, his mask broke into pieces. Just as Naruto's fist was about to collide with Haku's face, however, he stopped. The look on Haku's face made my heart hurt slightly. I clutched at my kimono, where my heart should be and furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. 'What is this?' I wondered to myself. Mayonaka must have seen the look I was giving as he asked "What's wrong?" I didn't answer as my mind was still occupied with my own thoughts.

"Why do you not strike?" Haku asked as he gazed towards the ground, pain filled eyes. "Did you not just vow to avenge your comrades death by killing me?" At his words I glanced around, only to find Sasuke on the floor with many senbon sticking out from his body.

Shaking my head, I began making my way towards him, however was stopped by Mayonaka "Where are you going?" I didn't bother to answer his question and merely ordered 'Stay' He must have listened to me since I could hear no footsteps following those of my own.

Once at Sasuke's side, I knelt down and placed my hand over him, palm side down. 'Jikan Seigyo: Kaishū' In the blink of an eye, the flow of time of when he got the wounds turned back and he was fully healed again. All that he needed to do now was to wake up.

From behind, I could hear something that sounded like a thousand chirping birds. I stood up and began making my way towards the noise. Large waves of wind passed by making my hair fly viciously around behins me. By the time I got to Kakashi, the noise died down. I glanced at the scene before me. Kakashi had his arm stuck through Haku's chest, who was protecting Zabuza.

"He saved your worthless life.. at the cost of his own" Kakashi stated with narrowed at towards Zabuza, who merely laughed. "Well done Haku.. You've not only given me my life, but Kakashi's aswell" Zabuza swund down his sword sideways towards the two, but it never made contact as Kakashi grabbed Haku and jumped away just in time. "Hehe, not bad for having a corpse in your arms" Zabuza chortled.

Naruto came up beside me and I noticed he was shaking in.. anger? "You'll pay for that!" He hollered towards Zabuza. "No! Stay away Naruto" Kakashi lay Haku's body down near the end of the bridge and once again, I felt something in my chest. "This is my batle! Zabuza's mine!" I'd never heard Kakashi's voice filled with so much rage.

"Naruto!" Sakura called as she just noticed he was here "So you and Sasuke are alright!?" Naruto couldn't find an answer as he stuttered and glanced to the side. "What's wrong? Where is Sasuke anyway?" Her eyes were on the brink of.. tears.. as she realised why Naruto wouldn't answer. I shook my head at their studidity. Sasuke was still alive, they should just check his pulse.

As Sakura and Tazuna ran over to Sasuke's body, Kakashi and Zabuza began fighting again. In the end, both of Zabuza's arms became useless and he couldn't wield his sword any longer. "Now both of your arms are useless. What now? You can't even make handsigns" Kakashi teased seriously. But, before Zabuza could do anything else, someone stepped towards us.

I tilted my head at the small figure in a black suit, holding a cane "Did quite a job on you, didn't he Zabuza?" The short man asked rhetorically. "I must say i'm.. disappointed in you" Beind the small man was a large group of thugs holding various weapons. I blinked as someone appeared beside me. Mayonaka held a wide smirk as he watched the small man and I could see the bloodlust growing. Tugging on his top I stated 'You know him' "That's right. He was the one to captue me and hand me over to Orochimaru" I blinked before furrowing my eyebrows ever so slightly 'Orochimaru...' I mused to myself 'Where have I heard that name before?'

"Gato?" Zabuza started, confused "I don't understand. Why are you here?" "Well, you see.. there's been a slight change in plan" He smirked and tapped his cane once on the ground "According to the new plan. You die right here on this bridge Zabuza" Said man's eyes widened before narrowing again. "What?" "That's right! Your too expensive. So i've decided to take you off the pay role. Look at he" He chuckled darkly "You look as demonic as a wet kitten" The thugs behind the short man laughed at his not so funny joke.

Walking forward, Gato approached Haku's body and.. Kicked him. Nauto fumed and tried to run at him, but was stopped by Kakashi. "What about you Zabuza? Are you just gonna let him do that?" "Be quiet you fool, Haku's dead.. what does it matter?" This seemed to make Naruto even more angry as he began a long speech about Haku and him. "Your words cut deep. Deeper than any blade" I glanced at Zabuza, only to find him crying along with Naruto, although silently. "Boy" Naruto flinched "Give me your kunai" Nodding, the blond threw his kunai knife towards Zabuza, who caught it inbetween his teeth.

Rushing forward, Zabuza began taking down and cutting apart Gato's thugs. "Setsuna" Mayonaka started and turned towards me "Do you mind If I go and cut them down as well?" I shook my head and he grinned before shapeshifting into his Panther form. Naruto and Kakashi gasped as Mayonaka leaped past them and towards the many men.

The almost black panther went wild and wripped many of the thugs to pieces, biting of arms here and legs there. Almost half of his body was covered in blood in the end. Nonetheless, the panther like grin was still etched onto his face as he foughts, not once minding the crimson coloured liquid hitting him.

Zabuza, on the other hand, even though he was able to get to Gato, there were many weapons sticking out of his back and I could feel the life draining out of him. With the last of his strength, Zabuza pushed Gato from the bridge and into the water below. As he slowly made his way back over to Haku, the thugs made a path as they were too frightened of him to fight. Just as he was getting closer to Haku, he collapsed on the ground. The pain in my chest returned and I clutched at it in even more confusion. 'What is this?''

"Naruto! It's Sasuke!" Sakura shouted from behind. "He's alright! He's alright!" I turned around halfway to see them and Naruto grinned, waving like crazy. Surprisingly, Sasuke waved back shortly. I merely blinked and turned back to the scene before us.

The thugs suddenly began making a riot and stating that now that Gato was gone, they wouldn't get payed. Naruto and Kakashi couldn't fight any longer because they used to much chakra and Mayonaka was slightly in a dazed state looking at the blood. Just as the thugs were about to run at us, a red arrow flew overhead and landed in the bridge "Before you set even one foot in our village, you'll have to go through us" One of the many villagers shouted as they held up all of their weapons.

Creating clones, Naruto and Kakashi both shouted "Still want to fight!?" Scared out of their witts, the thugs shook their heads, backed up and jumped off the edge of the bidge into the water below. I was confused about the whole situation to be honest, but didn't bother asking as I would look like an idiot.

While everyone was cheering, I walked over to Haku and picked him up bridal style (It was difficult due to the fact that I smaller than him). Carrying him over to Zabuza, I lay him down beside the dying demon of the mist. As Zabuza thanked me, it started to snow. Lifting up my hand, a single snowflake fell onto my long sleeve before metling into water. As Kakashi walked back over to Naruto, I stayed and knelt beside the two.

"I know it cannot be.. but, I wish I could go to where you have gone. How I wish I could.. join you there.. Haku" 'Perhaps you will join him there..' I stated, my chest once again hurting. Zabuza slowly turned to face me "Do you remember what.. I told you that day.. Setsuna?" I nodded and thought back to those words.

"We are nothing but emotionless tools, used by others for their own satisfaction. You, Setsuna, are a true emotionless tool. You feel nothing for others and only do what a real shinobi should do. Kill. That is what you live to do.. Never think otherwise.."

Zabuza smiled slightly "You can save yourself from being like me... you don't have to follow that path. Get back those emotions of yours so you can be happy.. And tell Sentaro.. "So long" From us, will you" I nodded and before long the life left his eyes.

Standing up, I clutched at my chest. "Setsuna-chan" Naruto said quietly. I felt something wet travel down my face. A single warm wet line fell from my chin, towards the ground. I touched it 'Tears?' I asked outloud, confused as to why I was crying.

I turned around to face the others and Mayonaka smiled softly at me, now back in his human form. 'Why does my heart hurt so, Mayonaka?' I asked, yet another tear soon following after the last 'Why do I cry and feel this way, Mayonaka?' My teammates were giving me weird looks and Sakura was almost crying as was Naruto. Kakashi on the other hand came over and was about to place his hand on my head, but stopped when I moved away. He sighed "Your sad. Upset about their deaths" I shook my head 'I should not feel this way, nor do I want to'

I stood over Haku and Zabuza once again and lifted my hand above their bodies 'Jikan seigyo: Tojikomeru' The flow of time around the bodies halted. I had made it so that they would never grow old, never rot, so that they could live with each other for eternity, looking the same as they knew each other as. "Setsuna-chan? What are you doing?" Naruto questioned as he came up to me. He glanced down at the now slightly glowing pair and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

Next, I lifted my arm to the side and thought 'Sunpō seigyo: Towa ni resuto' A door began to form at the tip of my finger. It was snow white with many golden flowers along the edges. Only one word could describe it - gorgeous. I could head Sakura's gasp in awe from a mile away.

Looking at Mayonaka I ordered - 'Bring Zabuza' He rose an eyebrow but nodded and picked Zabuza up as I did the same with Haku. As I walked to the door, I said to the others 'Go back to Tazuna's and rest. I'll be back shortly' Kakashi was about to speak, but I had already opened the door. A blinding light and a large gust of cherry smelling wind came gushing out, making them cover their eyes and look away. However, once their eyes were adjusted to it, Mayonaka and I were already gone. The door.. also gone.

A gust of wind blew past me and I opened my eyes to see long fields of flowers, the sun high up in the sky and birds chirping. Mayonaka gasped "Wow, what is this place?" I didn't answer him and simply nodded towards a small pathway leading towards a full bloom, larger thank normal, Sakura tree.

Walking along the path, Mayonaka following shortly behind me, I couldn't help but think of the countless time's i'd already been here. However, I shrugged them off, not wanting painfull memories to resurface.

As we reached the grand tree, I placed my hand over it and the bark began opening up to form a large rectangular door-like hole. I stepped inside and placed Haku's body down on the ground. Turning around to Mayonaka, I took Zabuza from him and lay him beside the smaller boy. Mayonaka raised an eyebrow at me "What are you going to do with them?" I shook my head and pointed a finger to his chest. Soon enough he began falling backwards into a small black hole "H-Hey! What's going on?" 'I'm sending you back to Kakashi and the others. I'll be back in a few minutes' Before he could get another word in, he was already gone.

Closing the tree back up, I opened a hatch leading to a long spiral staircase underground. I picked up Haku and Zabuza's bodies (No matter how difficult it was) and began walking down the many, many stairs until I reached a large underground room.

Many glass containers filled the room, most probably over a thousand. All were filled with dead bodies of people I once knew. Ignoring them all, I kept on walking down an aisle and towards two empty containers at the front of the room. Both were filled with flowers that would never die. Haku's container was filled with Gladiolus - symbolising strength of character, faithfulness and honor. Also with white calla lillies - symbolising his purity and innocence. Zabuza's container, contained daffodiles - symbolising new beginnings and eternal life (A bunch meaning eternal happyness)

Once they were palced in the glass containers, I closed them up and placed a seal on the locks so that they can never be opened by anyone other than myself. Beisdes, it's impossible for anyone other than the one who created this dimension to come inside. They would need my permission and that is hightly unlikely. Sighing I nodded goodbye 'Be happy together.. Haku.. Zabuza'

With one last look, I walked away towards the stairs. However, on my way, I passed a single container. Stopping, I turned to the container. My eyes grew colder than usual and I lay rest one of hands on the glass, staring at the face that stared back.

'Mafuya...'