Take A Knee || Anime: Naruto

Chapter Nine: Kids

"Kakashi!"

The sword had missed him, but Zabuza had flipped and landed a solid blow right to Kakashi's head. He went flying, and you attempted to get up and help. But Sakura was on your arm.

She got up slowly, wide eyed, and you knew better then to push her to stand. Zabuza had raced past you and your teammates. It was clear he was only interested in Kakashi. None of you dared to breathe as the mist rolled off the water. You got up when your arm was free, and offered a hand to help the kneeling Sakura. She took it, smiling gratefully. You both went back into formation with the others, squeezing together in an attempt not to allow any more sneak attacks.

Things go by in a flash next. The mist disappears, revealing an imprisoned Kakashi. You took a step forward, allowing the three to protect Tazuna behind you, and braced for attack. Zabuza made a clone, almost perfectly sculpted in his image. The clone running towards you, and then...

He strikes Naruto.

The mist was thicker now, but didn't stop you catching site of him landing back to the ground. You cursed at your own stupidity, of course he would have gone for Naruto. He was clearly the most nervous. The most unprepared. The easiest target.

"You're only kids!" Zabuza has reappeared and went for a second attack on Naruto.
You let water seep out of your skin and create what can only be described as claws made of water.

"Care to say that again?" You snarled at him. As he was about to turn, Kakashi's voice rang through the air.

"You four! Take Tazuna and run!" His voice was filled with distress. The emotion was so strong you lost concentration and the water fell to the ground.

"Bold of you to assume I'd ever do such a thing, especially after you calling me a just a Chunin," you smile at the three genin, who in that moment were in awe of you, "Let's show him titles don't mean jack s-,"

Naruto's captivated eyes were locked on you, motivated as much as surprised. Your words weren't as noble as they were when in front of the Hokage, after all. Sakura had a weak smile. Sasuke, however, gave you a strong nod.

"If our own Sensei can't save himself, I guess I'll have to do it,"

"That not what I mea— you son of a..," you face palmed as Sasuke charged towards the clone. Teamwork was what you needed. And great goodness was he bad at that.

He used a classic air-kunai takedown, which would have worked on any animal. That was slow. Like a sloth perhaps. Zabuza however? Not a chance.

He caught Sasuke by the throat and chucked him right back. You sidestepped his propelled body with a sigh. Naruto and Sakura ran towards him, worried. He was the best of them, a poster ninja, and he was taken down with ease. That didn't leave much room for the rest of them.

But now, it was your turn.

You decided to stick with Taijutsu. You knew you would dispel your chakra too fast if you used it for an attack right now, and you needed a back up. You simply didn't have enough chakra- it was one of your weakest points. Taijutsu may not be your strongest, but you could handle it. You pulled out a kunai, the one you had dropped not long ago, and charged.

Zabuza seemed shocked you were able to parry most of his blows, but him being a Jonin meant he was able to parry yours without a second thought. He went for your arm, and landed a hit square to your shoulder. Knowing you were about to run out of energy, you formed a hard sphere and let in deep into his body, at the shoulder. It was tiny, but it could do something. Before he could land another hit, you were forced to retreat back, and you stumbled when you landed. Feeling your chakra deplete, you clenched your fist.