Nebula's Echo (a Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 18

Naruto POV

I watched as Kakashi-sensei was captured by the enemy, my eyes wide with disbelief and fear. I couldn't avert my eyes from the deadly shinobi that had captured our sensei and now would surely come after us. Zabuza lowered his head to look at Kakashi-sensei before speaking.

"Kukukuku, this prison is made of water but it's stronger than steel... it's hard to fight when you can't move. So much for the great Kakashi... I'll finish you off later. But first, your little friends are going to have to be eliminated."

He turned to us and made a hand sign with only one hand, before clearly saying "Water clone jutsu!"

Seconds later, water started rising up from the lake, forming an identical version of Zabuza. My whole body was shaking as the jounin raised his head and spoke.

"You think wearing a headband makes you a ninja? When you've been between life and death so many times it doesn't faze you, then, you may be called a ninja. When you've become so deadly your profile is entered in my bingo book, then, you may have earned the title ninja. But to call upstarts like you ninja, is a joke!"

The mist was growing denser as he spoke, before completely obscuring him. My heart was beating a million miles per hour as fear ate at it. He'd disappeared!

But his voice sounded as clearly as ever.

"You're just brats."

I was shaking, unable to think due to the fear when a familiar voice cut through to me. Kakashi-sensei!

"Listen, get the bridge builder and run!"

I froze.

What is he saying?

"You can't win this fight! He's using all his power to keep me in this prison, so he can only fight you with his water-clone! But the clone can't go far from his real body, so if you get away from him, he can't follow! Now run!"

I was staring wide-eyed at Kakashi. I didn't understand. Turning my head to the side, I caught a glimpse of Sasuke's face. There was no fear visible on his face, only determination. I was really jealous of him at that moment. I wanted to be fearless too. Steeling myself to be worthy of my rival, I walked towards him on shaky legs. He just glanced at me before turning back to look at the enemy. When I finally reached Sasuke's side, I saw his eyes widen and instantly whipped my head to the side.

I stared, frozen, as the clone sped towards us, leg lifted for a roundhouse kick. He was too fast. There's no way I'll be able to dodge that. My eyes widened in fear.

But then a cold breeze caressed my face, and when my eyes focused I caught a dazzling figure. Soft white locks gently flowing in the breeze. Her presence alone brought a kind of elation forth from deep within me. And not just that, but also power. I could feel it, seeping into my libs. I felt so much stronger now, like I could do anything.

Ceiren's snow white hand was gently wrapped around the clones foot, that was still in the air. She had stopped him from kicking me. She stopped him with ONE HAND!