Chapter 18: The Shields

A week or so has passed and the time for the final battle drew near. We had a couple of days left to train and I was praying they would be enough. In that time, I was able to complete the jutsus I needed for the battle so all I had left were the preparations. I have to make sure that Tsunami and Inari are going to be safe. I guess I should start with that.

Time skip

"hey tsunami, can I talk to you for a second?" she looked up at me with a concerned look, putting her knife down. "Is something wrong?" poor thing. She is always so scared for her father and her son. The anime definitely should've focused on her more. I smiled comfortingly hoping to ease her worries. "don't worry, nothing's wrong! You see it's just that I was training and I came across those hot springs nearby and I thought that you and inari could use a day's rest." I held out the passes to her, my smile growing at her grateful expression. She seemed to hesitate though so I just shoved them in her hand and ran away screaming an 'enjoy' on my way out of the kitchen. Ok, that should do it. Now I need to make sure Naruto doesn't sleep in tomorrow. Ughhh! This is all so much effort. I sighed walking through the woods. It was still early in the morning and there was a cool breeze in the air. It was really relaxing taking walks through nature like this. it always seemed to calm my brain.

I froze at the sound of voices up ahead. I quickly suppressed my chakra and jumped in one of the trees to get a better view. I saw Naruto talking with Haku in the clearing just up ahead. Now I know for sure. The fight is tomorrow. I better get down there. This is probably my last chance to talk to Haku. I took a deep breath and jumped down from the tree. I walked into the clearing gaining the attention of both the boys. Haku tensed slightly, not sure if I would expose his identity. "Naruto, there you are! I was worried about you, you know. Don't just disappear like that." I scolded him as I sat down next where they were sitting. I looked over at Haku and smiled, "Also, who's your friend?" he seemed to release a breath of relief that Naruto didn't notice. Naruto just scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "sorry Elle! I was training and I just fell asleep here. before I knew it, she was waking me up this morning." I almost burst out laughing as Naruto called Haku a 'she' but somehow, I was able to keep it together. "I was just picking herbs when I found him there. It's not something you usually see every day." Haku explained to me. His voice was way softer than the last time we spoke. "Thank you for that. He's always so carless." That gained me an awfully girly giggle from Haku and a childish whine from Naruto. "Idiot, stop complaining and go have some breakfast. Starving yourself won't do anyone any good." He got up with an annoyed look and walked away mumbling something about me bossing him around all the time. I waited till he was out of sight before I started talking again. "I guess if you're back, everything went well." he nodded a curious look crossing his face. "Why didn't you tell him?" I laughed slightly at his dumb question. "Why would I? Everyone has their secrets. Besides, what type of friend would I be if I went around telling people your secret?" that statement seemed to shock him into silence. I feel so bad for him, I just want to squeeze him in the tightest hug ever! Oh shit, I almost forgot why I came here. "Haku, can I ask you for one more thing?" his face hardened before he spoke again, this time with a cold detached voice. "I have delivered your letter so we are now even. I don't owe you anything." He turned and was about to walk away when I grabbed his arm. "What if it helps save Zabuza's life?" he turned to me a frown evident on his face. "If you are lying to me…" "Was I lying last time?" he seemed to think about it for a second before he fully turned to face me. "What do you want?" I smiled a wide smile. "I just need you to take me to Zabuza." He glared at me, giving me a questioning look. "Why?" I stayed quiet for a second and looked down at the ground. because, if I don't do this, you will die. I looked back up wiping the sad look off of my face, "I can show you if you want." He hesitated slightly before giving in. I took his hand and placed it in mine. His eyes seemed to widen but it was for a split second so I wasn't too sure. I closed my eyes and focused on bringing my chakra to my hand. I felt the chakra spread until it was covering both of our hands. I kept directing it until it was only covering his hand. secret technique: chakra shield! I preformed the tiger hand seal with the hand that wasn't holding his and opened my eyes. I watched the chakra seep into his skin before completely disappearing out of sight. "alright, I'm done." I looked up to see him staring intently at his hand. "What did you do?" he moved it closer to his face checking for any changes. I simply smiled and took it back into my hand, this time his palm facing upwards. A smirk made it's way on my face, "I'll show you what I did." With full confidence, I took out a kunai. He seemed to tense and try to pull his hand away but I held it tighter. My face softened as I looked up into his eyes. "Don't worry. I'd never hurt you." He stopped pulling his hand and took a deep breath. I waited till he looked ready before I turned the kunai and slammed it as hard as I could into his palm. His eyes widened as the kunai shattered into pieces leaving only the handle in my hand. he looked at his hand confused at how there was no damage. I let go of it and he just kept looking from it to the broken pieces of the kunai on the ground. After it seemed to finally set in, he looked up at me the shock still evident in his eyes. "Secret technique: chakra shield. I want to cast it on Zabuza." That snapped him out of whatever daze he was in and brought his attention back fully to me. "why would you want to protect him?" I sighed and looked at him seriously. "I know you're going to attack the bridge tomorrow. I just don't want to watch you guys get hurt." He shook his head in confusion, "what about your teammates?" I scoffed slightly, "I sure as hell am not going to let them get hurt either. but the fight's bound to happen so I'll just make sure no one seriously gets hurt." He seemed to think it over for a second before nodding. "fine, follow me." Yes! I did it! I gained his trust!

Time skip

We walked into their hideout and headed inside one of the rooms. I walked in after Haku to see Zabuza sitting on the bed holding an apple in his hands. Of course, I made sure to take off my headband before we walked in so that he doesn't kill me on the spot. "Haku, who is that child you brought with you?" I gained an irk mark at his comment. "she has asked to talk to you master Zabuza." He took one look at me and stood up. "What business does a girl like you have with me?" oh god, he is way scarier in person. This is nerve wrecking! I cleared my throat and said a silent prayer before I started talking. "I'm happy to finally meet you master Zabuza. I am Elle Candel. I have come here to ensure your safety." He scoffed "What do you brat possible have to offer me?" I ignored his nickname for me and answered. "I can show you if you want." A smirk made its way onto his face, "this better be good." I put my hand out to Haku, who gave me his hand that I cast the jutsu on. I placed it out in front of Zabuza before leaving it and taking a step back. "I need you to stab Haku's palm as hard as you can." He looked at Haku who nodded encouraging Zabuza to stab him. That made him look at me weirdly probably wondering how the hell I managed to convinced him to do this. His curiosity pushed him forward as he grabbed a kunai from his pouch and quickly slammed into Haku's hand. The impact made the kunai pieces bolt in all directions all over the room, forcing me to cover my face with my arms. Damn! How strong is he?! Once the kunai storm settled, I uncovered my face and walked closer to them again. Zabuza was looking at Haku's hand impressed. "are you in?" I asked hoping to hurry this along. He looked at me suspiciously, "what's in it for you?" dude, I already had this conversation before. I need to get back before Kakashi gets suspicious. "Haku can explain that later, just now answer. Are you in or not?" he stayed quiet for a second. I started tapping my foot in irritation. "fine. It can't hurt." I threw my hands in the air. "finally! Let's get this over with. Just stand still." I walked closer to him and placed my hands on his chest. About 10 seconds later, I stepped away. Just the test, then I can get back. I pulled a kunai out of my pouch and slammed it into his chest. Low and behold, the same thing happened as the last time… and the time before that. "ok, done. See you tomorrow!" I screamed as I rushed out the door and into the forest.

I walked into the clearing to see Sasuke holding Naruto upside down with Sakura cheering him on. "What the hell did I miss?" I asked Kakashi as I made my way to him. He looked at me and back in front of him again, sighing. "Not much. Where did you disappear to this time?" I smirked slightly, proud of my achievements. "Just finalizing my new jutsu." He rose an eyebrow at me in question. "Care to demonstrate?" My smirk grew, "Very much so." I placed my hands on his chest and started focusing my chakra on my hands. Only for my hands to be twisted behind my back. I was so shocked; I didn't know how to react. "Kakashi…" He…doesn't trust me. He thought I was going to hurt him. How could he…? I guess I deserve it. My head fell to the floor as I fell to my knees. He let go of me carefully. "Sorry, it's just that I…" I shook my head and got up. "No, I get it. It's my fault anyways." I walked out of the clearing and in the direction of Tazuna's house. Wait, I need to make sure Naruto's not too exhausted to wake up tomorrow. Sighing, I turned back to see all the team staring at me. "Naruto… can you come with me, please?" he nodded as he silently came along and walked next to me. "Stop acting so out of character. It's weird." He still stayed quiet. "Listen Elle, I wanted to apologize for what I said that day. I didn't know you were on another mission." I smiled slightly, "No, what you said was true. I am nothing but a coward but I am trying you know. I'm trying really hard." He smiled his signature smile at me. "Don't worry Elle! You don't need to try for us. We'll always be there to support you no matter what!" I laughed at his bright attitude. "Thanks Naruto. You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. Oh, and Naruto, I kind of need help with training. Do you mind if I practice on you?" he shook his head frantically. "Not at all! You can train on me anytime, believe it!"

Time skip

I was sitting in front of Naruto on the floor in our room upstairs. I was practicing transferring chakra using chakra strings instead of the wires. It was tricky in the beginning since I tried to move the chakra on the strings which just ended up messing the strings themselves. I figured, that if moving it on the strings wouldn't work, moving it in them might. So now, I'm using the strings as more of a tube that transfers chakra.

After a while of those, I started meditating to create some chakra to give to Naruto so that he has enough for tomorrow. It felt like something was slowing it down but at the end, I managed to make enough to double Naruto's reserves. I was about to start working on my own reserves when Sakura's voice broke my concentration. "Elle, Naruto! dinner's ready." I guess I'll just continue later. I dissolved the strings and opened my eyes to see a bright smiling Naruto in front of me. "That was so awesome Elle! I could feel the chakra build up inside me bit by bit!" I laughed at his comment, "That's kind of the point of the whole technique. Let's go downstairs, we've been training for hours." We jumped up and headed downstairs, ready for a break from training.

We went down and sat in the seats that we usually sit in. As always, I remained quiet and watched the others argue. I was actually enjoying this dinner until a familiar feeling washed over me. my eyes widened in shock and I left the table quickly and ran outside. I could feel my stomach twisting inside me, rejecting the food. I kept running into the forest until I couldn't keep my food down any longer. I fell to my knees and threw up. I could feel the burn in my throat and the rotten scent of my own bile. The tears built up in my eyes and I let them fall. I let everything out until there was nothing left inside me. Once it was over, I got up and started digging a hole next to where I vomited so I could dump it all in. I was going to get this over with and get back to finishing the plan. I won't let all my hard work go in vain. After I was done covering it all up, I got up and headed for the water. Even though it was salty, it was better than nothing. I cleaned myself up as much as I could and then dried my hands in my shorts. I am not going to let anything stop the plan. I will go back and finish it.

I made my way back and opened the door. "Kakashi, come out for a second." He looked at me with a mix of concern and curiosity but all he saw back was a blank face. I am going to finish this plan. He came outside and I led him into the forest. Once we were out of sight, I sat down and motioned for him to sit in front of me. He followed hesitantly, wanting to know what's happening. "I am going to place a shield on you." With that said I put my hands on his chest. His hands were about to grab mine but he stopped. I placed the shield on him and stood up with him following. "I will test it now. Don't move." he nodded slightly and stiffened his posture. I grabbed a kunai and slammed it against his chest. I then left the broken kunai and a shocked Kakashi behind and headed back into the house heading straight for our room upstairs, ignoring the Genin's calls after me. That night, might've been the worst night's sleep I ever got.