Keira's POV

CHING

The sound of metal hitting each other clanged through the forest.

I pressed my knife harder and harder against Zabuza sensei's exaggerated sword.

I made an intense concentration face as I struggled and staggered against Sensei's brute strength.

I saw the obvious look of amusement on Haku's face as he watched us fight or watch me lose, however he saw it.

I relinquished my force and flipped backwards, brandishing my katana.

"Done already brat?" Zabuza chuckled. At least one of us was enjoying themselves.

"I never quit Sensei!" I called back, Zabuza looking almost proud at being called a sensei and I snorted, rolling my eyes.

He again chuckled as I dashed forward, bring my katana down to a point as I sprinted towards him.

He easily knocked my sword from me.

"Awwww, dang it. " I whined. " I was so close!!" I sighed and walked to my weapon, picking it up.

"Not even kid, your too slow " Zabuza patted my head and I smiled, all cute, up to him.

"Sensei, since I am gonna be leaving soon, I'm gonna make the best supper for you that you have ever eaten!!" he smirked under his mask and walked laxly to the cabin

"Just make it quick, I'm hungry " I sweat dropped and turned to Haku.

"Teacher, I am going down to the village to find some stuff we can't get out here, I will be back to finish up in an hour. " I bowed then grabbed my backpack lying on the cabin wall waving to an indifferent Momochi and a content apprentice.

Timmmmees skipppleeee!!!

I made my way to the edge of the forest, exhausted and worn out already from the combination of training and walking lightyears to get here.

"Transformation jutsu!" I changed to a brown haired mother looking figure, thankfully morphing my outfit into a commoner dress with an apron on on top.

I smiled, and laughed, testing my new voice.

I paced in and waved at the hungry villagers as I passed, most looking at me weirdly.

I walked down to the general store in the east part of town and frowned. They literally had nothing on their shelves. I smiled at the store owner and took off my backpack.

I pulled out an apple and a couple slices of bread with cheese and gave them to him with a kind smile.

"I know how it feels to be starved, please take it. " I held the bundle out to him and he grasped it, opening the bag with bread in it.

His eyes watered. I could tell he hadn't eaten anything in days.

"Hikaru! Mariu! Kyome! Come quick!!"

I heard footsteps behind the shop and soon 3 little heads popped out beside the grey haired shopkeeper. 1 girl and 2 little boys, only about 4 or 6

I walked a little forward and before he could pass out the meager helping of food to the children, I pulled three more sets of bread, cheese, and apples.

I passed them it with a smile, digging in my pockets and them handed them each a piece of candy.

"Eat up, and before you know it, the bridge will be finished. " I crouched down in front of them. " And you will always have enough food to fill your tummies. " I poked their stomachs and they giggled, swallowing the last of their lunch, throwing the apple core away.

I stood up and ruffled the youngest two's hair and patting the girls head.

"Mr. Shopkeeper sir, can you tell me if you have any other spices?" I hated trying to squeeze their dwindling supplies but I will pay double. Maybe more, poor villagers, I would save them all if I could.

He nodded and motioned for me to follow him.

We ended up in the space behind the store where he gave me a burlap sack.

I quirked an eyebrow and peeked inside, it was full of spice containers and such. My eyes widened as I looked back towards him.

"Spices are a luxury we cannot afford here so they just sit and collect dust" I payed him at least triple what this must cost, smiling and waving as I walked away quick enough so he couldn't give me back the extra money and soon enough, I was back in my forest.

Releasing my former Justu, I pressed my fingers together and activated my apparition Justu. I instantly felt dizzy and lightheaded, but as quickly as it came it was gone. Shri hadn't been 'home' lately, thinking so hard about something she was completely oblivious to me for a surprise, so I was stuck using my own smaller amount of chakra to train.

As I dashed to the forest I heard cries of joy and surprise in the town to the huge amount of food that had now appeared before them. I smiled, releasing a relieved puff of air. Jee, am I glad I avoided passing out.

TIME SKIP!

As I walked back I pondered to the day before. My sweet mother, he hadn't even known her long.

Days earlier. --

"Zabuza-sama, when I saw you the other day during the fight, you mentioned my mom.

I sat crisscross on the floor as my teachers ate the meal I made for them.

"I knew your mother once, we always thought she died, sometime after I killed all those ninja at my graduation exam". I winced at the image of a child murdering hundreds. "I got caught starving in a forest. Your mom, Kiyoki, found me. " I frowned, my mom's name was Jane, and she hated the anime I watched, much less to have ever been here. All these things passed through me head but I stayed silent as Sensei continued his story.

"She was kind to me, not caring what I had done, we were both around 12 or 13 then and she lived alone in a raggedy hut. Her parents died in a violent flood." this was news to me.

"She was my friend, almost family for a time. I even loved her, but she didn't come back to the hut after hunting one day. I went and looked for her, when I heard footsteps coming towards our home." His hands clenched and his eyes hardened.

"Men had found the hut and dragged Kiyoki over to it. They tried to make her say where I was but she didn't utter a word and I just watched, my will to live overpowering my ability to save her. They pulled out an knife and she looked my direction and smiled at me, like she cared and they ended her life with a kunai to the heart. I killed them after that, not like it did any good, and decided to live only for myself, and not to have to trust anyone anymore." He continued.

"You two are only tools, weapons to be used. I won't care if you die, only disappointed at the loss of powerful tools. "

I just blinked and smiled lightly, none of this made any sense but I know who to talk to this about. Someone who will have all the answers. Might as well tuck it away until later.

I dropped my bag of spices in the doorway, going to the cabinets and pulling things down. Darn, looks like I was gonna need to go hunting. I sighed and scribbled a quick not for Haku which was currently no where to be found.

TIME SKIP.

"See ya kid. " I ran and hugged and indifferent Zabuza.

"Farewell Keira" I hugged Haku at that and kissed him on the cheek lightly, waving as I sped away to Tazuna- san's house.

I loved Zabuza and Haku as characters in the manga but now seeing them in a whole new light, I loved them as them. The way they would interact with each other and with me, the things Zabuza liked to eat and the way Haku was like a brother to me.

I sighed, reaching the front door, I was gonna miss them.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

I pounded on the door loudly.

"Get your lazy selves up! Guys!" I opened the door.

"Honey, I'm home!" I sang from the doorway. Where are my knuckle heads?

I heard footsteps coming closer to me and I smirked, recognizing the familiar sound of Sensei's crutch hitting the wood floor.

"Ah, Keira. I see you are back. Welcome home. " Kakashi waved to me lazily and I sighed.

"Where is everybody?" Seriously, I feel lonely now.

"Naruto and Sasuke are training and Sakura is protecting Tazuna on the bridge while he works. Inari and his mother are at the market. " He said, his monotone voice making me frustrated at his lax attitude for no real logical reason at all.

"Aww, did I wake wittle Sensei fwom his napp?" I mocked to him and he sweat dropped dramatically.

"Yes you did and now that you are done announcing yourself, I am gonna continue my nap now. " I smiled and shooed him away to rest. He is gonna need it soon.

I flopped onto the futon in my room dramatically. Now that I am alone, I can finish some business. I sighed and slapped my face to wake me up a little, as I was getting sleepy.

I came to Tazuna's office and grabbed paper and pen, ready to begin the preparations.

TIME SKIPPPPPHE.

We meandered slowly to the bridge, today is the day.

Someone has to make a huge sacrifice, but if it is to save everyone, is it right?

Choosing for someone else is nearly impossible.

And much, much more difficult than choosing for yourself.