Sasuke's twin sister, But Neji's first love

Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!

I was sitting at the dining room table with Kakashi and Sasuke. I glanced at Kakashi, finally deciding to ask the question that had been nagging at me—and probably Sasuke, too.

"Kakashi... why do you have the Sharingan? I know you aren't part of the Uchiha clan."

Sasuke perked up, clearly curious.

Kakashi's eye creased with a small smile behind his mask. "Let's just say... a friend saved my life. But that's a story for another time."

Before I could push further, Sakura walked in, Tazuna following close behind.

"Good morning, guys!" she chirped. "Did Naruto stay out all night again training?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Sakura said, folding her arms. "He's hurting himself more than helping. He's completely crazy. He could be dead by now from using so much chakra."

"Well, look at you being so thoughtful and worried for our teammate," I said sarcastically.

"There's no need to worry too much," Kakashi added. "Naruto may be a goofy kid, but he's a trained ninja. He can take care of himself."

"Sakura's right," Sasuke said. "He's such a loser he probably is lying dead somewhere."

"Stop being so rude, Sasuke," I shot back.

"Hn." Sasuke stood abruptly. "Let's go on a walk."

"Can I join you, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked hopefully.

Sasuke and I both ignored her and headed out. We walked toward the forest, sensing Naruto would be there.

"Admit it, Sasuke," I teased. "You care about Naruto and wanted to come check on him."

"Hn. Shut up."

I smirked, holding back a laugh.

As we continued walking, we passed a beautiful woman in a pink kimono with long hair. She didn't look at us, and we didn't look at her—but once she was a few feet behind us, Sasuke and I glanced over our shoulders cautiously.

"I've seen a lot of weird things," Naruto muttered behind us, "but this one takes the cake."

Sasuke walked over and smacked him on the head. "You twerp. Did you forget about breakfast?"

"Ouch! Cut it out!"

"Naruto, you dummy. You can't be doing this," I scolded.

"Sorry, Ryuko," he mumbled, blushing.

Sasuke noticed and immediately stepped in front of me, scowling.

Naruto returned to training, trying again to climb the tree with his chakra. Sasuke and I climbed up to the highest branch and sat together, watching.

"I told you—you care about him," I said, glancing at Sasuke.

"Shut up. He's a dobe."

Just then, Naruto finally made it to the top.

"Naruto!!"

"Ugh, and the peace is broken," I mumbled.

Naruto threw a kunai at Kakashi and Sakura's feet to get their attention.

"Huh, looks like you finally made it up there," Kakashi said.

Naruto smirked and pretended to fall off the branch, making Sakura and Kakashi panic. "Pranked you!" he laughed.

Then his foot actually slipped, and he began to fall. Sasuke and I immediately jumped down, catching his ankles just in time.

"You really are a total loser, aren't you, Naruto?"

"Stop being an idiot."

We said it in perfect unison as he dangled there.

"Sasuke? Ryuko?" Naruto looked both shocked and relieved.

"Yeeaah, way to go Sasuke!" Sakura gushed.

Kakashi and Sakura headed back to the bridge builder's house, while Sasuke, Naruto, and I stayed behind to keep training.

⸻

Time skip – Nighttime

We finally headed back, Naruto exhausted with both his arms slung around Sasuke and me for support.

When we walked in, everyone looked at us.

"You look like something the cat dragged in," Tazuna remarked.

Naruto just giggled. "We all made it to the top!"

"Good. Now we move on. Starting tomorrow, you three are bodyguards for Tazuna."

"Yeah, alright!!" Naruto shouted, trying to jump—and taking all of us down with him.

"Good going, Naruto," I groaned.

"Ugh, you are such a loser," Sasuke muttered.

Everyone else burst out laughing.

After dinner, Tazuna leaned forward with a serious look. "The bridge will be finished in a few days, and it's all thanks to you guys. But there's something I've been meaning to ask—why did you stay and protect me even after I lied?"

"Those who stray from the path of justice have no courage," Kakashi answered. "But under the wing of a strong leader, cowardice cannot survive."

"Huh?" Sakura blinked. "What does that mean?"

"It's a quote from the First Hokage," Kakashi explained.

Just as we were about to head to bed, loud snoring echoed through the room.

Kakashi sighed. "I'll take Naruto to sleep."

Sasuke, Sakura, and I headed to the room. Sakura tried to sneak her sleeping bag between ours, but Sasuke and I noticed immediately. Sasuke wordlessly grabbed our sleeping bags and moved them to a far corner.

⸻

Time skip – Morning

"Okay, I don't think Naruto will be waking up anytime soon," Kakashi told Tazuna's daughter. "I leave him in your hands."

"What about you? You're still recovering," she said, concerned.

"Why? Do I look wobbly?" Kakashi asked, walking off. "I'll be fine."

We followed Tazuna to the bridge. But as soon as I saw the scene ahead, I froze.

Bodies were collapsed across the bridge.

"What happened?! Someone got to them!" Tazuna shouted.

Thick mist started to roll in, surrounding us.

"Sakura, Ryuko, Sasuke—get in formation. Now!"

Immediately, I stepped in front of Tazuna, kunai in hand, ready for anything.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura whispered. "It's Zabuza, isn't it? This is his Hidden Mist Jutsu..."

My heart thumped in my chest, and I could almost feel Sasuke's beating in sync with mine. The adrenaline was sharp, electric.

Then a chilling voice rang out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi. I see you've still got those brats with you. And those two black-haired ones are trembling. How pitiful."

A shadow landed in front of us. Zabuza.

Sasuke and I gasped, eyes narrowing.

"Heh."

"Hn."

"We're trembling..." Sasuke began.

"...with excitement," I finished, glaring straight into Zabuza's eyes.

"Go on, Sasuke, Ryuko," Kakashi commanded.

Together, we charged, weaving between the clones, dodging their sword slashes, and striking down every last one.

Zabuza raised an eyebrow. "Hm. So you two brats can see they were water clones. You're improving. Looks like you've got two rivals, Haku."

Beside him, the masked figure nodded. "So it seems."