erode

Chapter Eleven: One Hour & Six Days

         However, this is not yet the time to have a breakdown, and Sakura knows it. Zabuza and Haku have made quick work of Gatō and his men. Now they are at a standstill. No longer truly enemies, especially as Sakura watches Haku revive Sasuke, removing the senbon carefully and methodically.

"We are no longer under contract to fight you," Zabuza declares, crouched as he wipes a kunai on one of the dead thugs' shirts. Kakashi hums, nodding. Naruto, on the other hand, speaks up.

"Only because Gatō's dead,' Naruto pauses before asking, "What are you going to do now?"

"Take the b*stard's money and do what we originally intended to do with our pay." Haku replies as he stands, walking over to Zabuza. Sakura blinks, not having expected the boy to have a bit of a foul mouth. Though, going on the run with a missing nin was bound to rub off on him. Sakura moves over to Sasuke and picks him up, motioning for Naruto to help her get the Uchiha fully on her back.

"Anything concerning the Leaf?" Kakashi's voice is mild, but they all know what he really means by asking that question. Haku smiles impishly, taking a step away from Zabuza as he replies. Just out of slapping range.

"Maybe in the future. For a peace treaty, at least," Haku sidesteps Zabuza's swipe with practiced ease as he comments, "When Zabuza's girlfriend wins her revolution." Zabuza reaches for his accomplice again but can't reach him before he grunt in pain. His outreached arm snaps back towards his side, rubbing it with the pads of his fingers.

"Like most of what Haku said, we only took this job for funding. Might just use it to disappear." Zabuza says consideringly, rubbing at his chin after looking away from Kakashi. Sakura's sensei hums again, sliding the kunai in his hand back into his leg pouch.

"It would be useful to stop being hunted, wouldn't it? You okay with going down as defeated by a 'Copy-Cat,' Zabuza?" Kakashi remarks, making one last jab. Zabuza laughs and straightens. Naruto helps Sakura stand, looking a second away from asking if he could just carry Sasuke instead. Sakura shakes her head minutely. They both turn back to the conversation at hand.

"Wouldn't mean much if you didn't know how to use tactics along with those techniques," Zabuza turns to Sakura, then asks, "Think that old man and this town will cover for us?" Sakura coughs a laugh into her fist. It was weird to go from nearly killing each other to just talking normally, but Sakura supposes it makes sense. She checks her sensory net, blinking in surprise when what feels like the whole town led by Inari and Tsunami are marching towards the bridge. She looks back at Zabuza.

"Probably. We just gotta get them into a different mindset." Sakura says, wheeling around to face the mouth of the bridge. Naruto makes a questioning noise at her movement, but follows suit.

"Sakura, what---" Her blonde teammate is cut off by a roar of yells and hollers, the sounds of metal banging against wood echoing into the air.

"Looks like Inari took your hero speech a little too seriously, Naruto-kun." Sakura comments offhandedly. She adjusts Sasuke's legs in her group then starts walking over to where Tazuna is standing by the tree. A mob of townspeople come into view after a short moment, screaming. Sakura lays a hand on Tazuna's shoulder and pats it.

"Looks like we've got some explaining to do," She announces. The old builder laughs at her words, wiping a tear from his eye. He nods.

"And I'd be proud of him too, if he wasn't at the front. C'mon pinky." Despite already moving towards the crowd, Tazuna doesn't escape Sakura's smack to the arm. Her hair may have been pink, but that was obvious. No need to point it out everytime the damn old man addressed her. He only laughs at the hit, rubbing his arm. Sakura supposes they were all due a bit of relief. This mission could finally wrap up. They could finally go home.