(A/N: Okay, it took me a LOONG time to update. Sorry! I have college credit pre-cal this year, so its really hard to keep up with everything. ANYways, this /should/ end the Zabuza/Haku arc and we can get to the Chunnin exams. I promise that I actually have a plot for that, and some pretty exciting stuff happens. Plus, there will be an appearance of KionaKina and Moon_Princess characters. So, without further ado, I present my most recent chapter. Also, I totally forgot the name of the short guy with the mustache. So, in honor of Naruto Abridged, his name is Mickey.)

After several more days of watching Sasuke and Naruto race up trees, listening to Sakura wax poetic about Sasuke, and listening to sad stories about a small boy with a hat she still hadnt met, Keiko had pretty much decided that the mission might very well be the dullest one ever. Fortunately, the next morning she got a new assignment.
Girls! Wake up! Keiko heard Sakura mutter something into her pillow before getting up to Kakashis voice. As excited as she was the night before to have gotten body guard duty instead of babysitting, the morning light had brought with it the desire to just lay in bed all day. Instead of doing that, however, Keiko got up, dressed, and began to braid her hair.
Balki! She cried, sensing an immediate stiffing from Sakura. The white wolf pup bounded in, nipping playfully and Keikos heels and barking like mad. Keiko grinned and sat down to pet him.
Boys arent supposed to be in here. Sasuke appeared in the doorway, moody as always and repeating Kakashis edict from several nights before when Sakura had been found in Naruto and Sasukes room, staring at him while he slept.
You dont seemed too concerned about it, Sasuke. Keiko snapped. The raven-haired Uchiha sighed and walked away, much to Sakuras (voiced) disappointment.
******
So, youre finishing the bridge today, Mr. Tazuna? Keiko asked as the group, minus Naruto, who was still asleep since hed trained until early morning, stepped out the door.
Yes, today should be the last day of work. The old man said with a smile.
Great! Sakura interjected, Well be able to go home soon! Keiko noticed even Sasuke looked slightly happy that the mission was drawing to a close.
Yeah, you kids have been a great help. Especially you, Sakura. Sakura beamed. While the rest of them chatted happily, Keiko looked around. The day was turning out to be quite beautiful. Balki sniffed the air happily and Keiko smiled down at him.
Oh no! What happened? Keiko looked up. They had made it to the bridge. But instead of finding men working diligently to finish the project, they found:
Bodies. Kakashi said. It was not a question. And that was when the mist began to creep.
Well, Kakashi, a booming voice cut thought the mist, Youve got a different runt this time. Balkis fur bristled as he crept closer to Keikos leg. Hello, girlie. This time the voice was right in her ear.
Keiko gasped and wheeled about, needles flashing in one fist. But not before a large blade whistled thought the air and gashed her deeply in the shoulder. Keiko twisted around again to face the man wielding the sword.
Ah! She gasped again, holding her should where it was bleeding freely. Flecks of her blood spattered Balkis white coat. The man in front of her laughed, but he was no longer look at her.
Well, Haku. It looks like you get to test your strength against that of the legendary Uchiha clans. The tall man laughed again.
Sakura, Keiko! Protect the bridge builder! As bull-headed as she was, Keiko knew not to disobey a direct order in the midst of battle. But she couldnt see a way to obey it. Mr. Tazuna was behind her and she would have to turn her back on a man with a huge lethal weapon to get to him.
Luckily, this problem was quickly solved since Kakashi appeared in front of her. She didnt wait for a que. She and Balki raced to Mr. Tazunas side, filling in the gap next to Sakura.
Suddenly the mist grew even denser. Sakura became a mere breathe several inches from Keiko. Keiko reached into her pack, gripping needles between each pair of fingers. She already had a wound that would impair her ability to fight. And with visibility at absolute zero, this would be a very difficult battle.
Sakura was desperately trying to find Sasuke in the fog. Keiko cast her eyes around, using chakra to combine her sight with Balkis superb night vision. All she could find was a mass of glossy ice farther down bridge.
It must be a Kekkai-Genkai. Balki breathed. Keiko nodded, glad she wasnt in Sasukes situation.
Things quickly went downhill. Within moments, the assassin abruptly appeared in the middle of their protective circle. Both girls screamed, but refused to move. Kakashi appeared again, the blade crashing into the metal plates on his gloves instead of anyones soft flesh.
And again the clashing ninjas were off. Oh, I hope Sasuke is okay! Sakura moaned. Keiko didnt answer; the wound on her shoulder was becoming more and more distracting as the icy mist seeped into it. But she had to focus; Mr. Tazunas life depended on it, not to mention her own.
Without warning, Naruto appeared. Sakura exhaled a joyful breathed, by yelled at him seconds later for stupidity, Naruto! Kakashi called, Sasukes in the mirrors. Try and get him out!
Right! Naruto nodded, racing over to where Sasuke was trapped.
AH! Keikos hand automatically went to her shoulder.
Keiko, if you need to-The bridge builder began.
No. she said, face contorted with pain. Orange light burst forth from Sasukes mirrors. The ice shattered, slinging sharp fragments towards the kounouchi.
YOU KILLED SASUKE! a roar that sounded similar to Narutos voice split the air.
Nooo! Sakura screamed. Keiko identified a motionless body in the wreckage as Sasuke. A boy in a mask and Naruto faced off a little ways off.
Is this the first time youve seen a comrade die in battle? the boy asked, over Narutos ranting about Sasukes dreams.
Summoning jutsu! Keiko turned around. Kakashi had summoned his dogs, who were clamped around the swordsmans body, hanging from their teeth. Then two things happened simultaneously.
Naruto lunged at Haku, whose mask had fallen off, revealing a strikingly feminine face, and Kakashi made the move to kill the man. Haku looked up, and at the last moment flung himself in front of Kakashis lightening blade attack.
Everything went quiet. Keiko was suddenly aware that they were over by Sasuke. Sakura was draped over his body and Keiko had been unconsciously pulling needles from his still form. Claps echoed in the silence.
Very good, Zabuza. Said a voice. It was coming from a short, squat little man with a mustache, wearing small sunglasses and waving a cane in the air.
Mickey. What are you doing here? Zabuza asked. Keiko was horrified to see that Hakus corpse was still glued to Kakashis hand, dripping blood onto the cement and wooden planks below as it slid to the ground.
Well, you see, youre costing me too much money and youre not going quickly enough. So I brought a bunch of these guys to kill you off and Im going to finish the job myself. The whole time, the man had been making his way towards Zabuza. He stood above Hakus corpse now. Oh, look. The little brat who followed you everywhere. With n rapid, violent movement, the man jabbed his cane onto Hakus face. Zabuza simply stood their, watching.
It wasnt good enough for Naruto. Hey! Are you just going to let him treat him like that?!
Shut up, kid. He died and that means he was used up. Hes meaningless to me now. Zabuza said, brown eyes impassive.
WHAT!? He would have given his life for you! All he did was serve you! It was his life! He DIED for you. And all youre going to do is sit there and let him violate his body? Man, thats wrong. Just&WRONG! There was silence.
Haku had feelings, Zabuza began, He felt things, which made him weak, and now, darn him, I feel them too. Your words cut deeper than the sharpest blade. The man ripped through the bandages lining his mouth. Kid. Lend me your kunai. Naruto looked startled, but threw it to him. Zabuza balanced it in his mouth, and then ran towards the man. The group of henchmen surrounding Mickey threw objects at Zabuza, lodging them in his back. But he didnt stop moving.
What-What ARE you?! Mickey asked.
I already told you. Im a demon. Now your lifes over, as well as mine. Now, where were going, a demon ninja will probably be accepted. But you? Id be worried. The kunai was suddenly in the mans side, and he flew over the edge, screaming.
Zabuza turned around. Keiko felt her eyes welling with tears as he collapsed, dragging himself along the ground in attempt to get to his friend.
Dont look away. Kakashi said.
Kakashi. Please. Take me to him. Kakashi looked solemnly at his former enemy and then picked him up.
Sakura. A voice came from below, Youre heavy. And Keiko- Ouch.
Youre alive! Sakura cried. Zabuza was now lying next to Haku. And as he said his apologies, it began to snow. As the first flake hit the ground, he died.
******
The service was quiet, the sunset as quiet and beautiful as it had ever been. The silhouette of the blade was dark against it, but in a way, that was right. In the end, the henchmen had been driven off by the townspeople, and they had named the bridge after Naruto. But that wasnt what Keiko wanted to take back from the mission. As she turned around, listening to the now familiar squabbles of team seven, Keiko realized she wanted to be just like Haku and Zabuza. She wanted to be brave enough to die for someone, to love someone. Im sure you will. Someday. Balki said.
Yeah. But first, Ive got stuff to do.
The whole clan thing again?
What else? Its the whole reason I did this, isnt it?
Maybe. Balki said with a smile in his voice, Maybe not.