Haku

In the forest, a young boy in orange track suit was sleeping on the floor peacefully. It was Naruto who slept after his intense training after meeting with Kurama. Meanwhile a figure in a pink kimono was busy picking herbs and transferring them to the basket. It was Haku who was busy picking herbs to treat Zabuza's wounds. Haku turned around after picking herbs with his basket towards Naruto who was peacefully sleeping on the grass.

I knew Naruto would meet up with haku in the morning so I woke up early and hid in a nearby tree using wood release jutsu and watched what was going on ready to help Naruto If something unexpected were to happen. Haku walked over to Naruto and stared at him. Naruto then opened his eyes with difficulty just to witness a beautiful figure.

Don't worry, I just wanted to wake you up, since you would catch a cold if you were to keep sleeping here" Haku said with his voice indicative of showing care towards Naruto. "Ah I see…. Sis, what're you doing here?" Naruto asked. "I am gathering medicinal herbs" Haku replied as he went back to start gathering the herbs next to him. Naruto also started, gathering herbs for Haku. "You've got it hard for you in the morning, sis " Naruto said as he poured the herbs he just collected into the basket.

"You too" "What have you been doing in a place like this so early?" Haku asked. "Training", Naruto replied with passion. "Could it be that you are a ninja or something?" Haku asked curiously. "Yup I'm a Ninja!" Naruto said proudly sticking out his right thumb towards himself. "Heehhh… No kidding, you're great aren't you?" Haku asked with a sense of admiration. "hahhah" Naruto started laughing in a manner of acknowledgement. "But why are you training?" Haku asked curiously. "To protect those who I care about " Naruto said as though he suddenly had a mood swing to being serious.

"But you already look strong though…." Haku continued. "No, no! I want to get even stronger!" said Naruto. "What for?" asked haku. "To become the best ninja in my village!" Naruto said enthusiastically. "I'm going to get everyone to recognize my strength" "Ehhhh You said you want to protect those you care about right?…" haku asked. Naruto acknowledged with a nod. "When a person has something precious they want to protect That's when they can truly become strong " Haku said as he thought back to how Zabuza has saved him."Yeah! I know that well, too!" Naruto replied with a smile. Haku smiled back as he got up and said "You'll become strong I hope we meet again somewhere" Haku said as he was leaving.

He walked a few metres forth and stopped as he said "By the way, I'm a boy!" Naruto opened his mouth wide and stared at haku's back. While Haku left the the forest, I emerger from a near buy tree and told " Come on Naruto lets go and have breakfast". Then we both walked over to Tazuna's house. After having our breakfast, we went to the bridge to guard Tazuna.

Back in Zabuza's hideout "You've recovered considerably" Haku said, feeling happy for Zabuza "All right. Just a little more, Haku" Zabuza commented.

We returned back to Tazuna's house in the evening and sat down to have dinner. "In just a teeny little bit, the bridge will be complete. It's thanks to you guys" Tazuna said almost feeling a major part of the burden lifted off. "Even so, don't let your guard down" Tsunami reminded the entire team.

Meanwhile Inari had a lot running in his head as he started crying. "Why? Why do you desperately work so hard until you get like that? There's no way you'd be a match for Gato's men even if you train. No matter what cool things you say or how much effort you put The weak always lost out against the truly strong!" Inari shouted out loud hoping for Naruto and his team to still quit, while they had time.

"Shut up. I'm not like you" Naruto reprimanded Inari. "Shut up" Inari interrupted Naruto and continued speaking. "Looking at you makes me sick. Sticking your nose in even though you know nothing of this land! I'm not like you who's always acting frivolous, not knowing one thing about pain!" "So you're just gonna cry all day like the lead in a tragedy? An idiot like you can just cry forever You Crybaby" Naruto said as he glared at Inari. "Naruto, that's a bit harsh" Sakura said while Naruto got up and walked off leaving Inari crying to himself.

Outside the house, Inari faced the sea as he curled up. "Got a minute?" Kakashi asked as he approached Inari. "Naruto didn't mean any harm with what he said. He's just uncouth. We heard about the story about your father from Tazuna. Like you, Naruto never had a father as a young child. Actually he doesn't know either of his parents. Not only that. He didn't have a single friend." Kakashi continued."What?" Inari was surprised as he turned towards Kakashi's face.

"However, I've never seen him sulk, be timid, or cry. He's always eager, wanting to be acknowledged by someone. If it is for the sake of that 'dream,' he always risks his life. I suppose, he's probably tired of crying. So, he knows the true meaning of the word strong. Like your father. In-fact Naruto is the only one who might understand your feelings the most." Said Kakashi. Inari looked at Kakashi, trying to confirm if all he's been hearing was the truth. "There's no mistaking that he's told himself that over and over again" Kakashi said after which Inari thought deeply over his actions.