Second Chance

Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Free Birds
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The trip back to the village for the team was fast and filled with discussions about what could be done to improve on the various aspects of their roles in the mission should they ever be placed in a similar situation with different terrain. For the first time, with the exception of the ROOT member, team seven finally had a mission without an unexpected complication. They had already made a mental note to inform Itachi that there were still ROOT agents in the field that were unaware of Danzo's death and still operating on his orders. Furthermore, they were discussing ways to alter Haku's training regime to ensure that she had time to learn the new hyoton jutsu she had picked up. Any non-hyoton jutsu that didn't belong to any other clan, was going to be donated to the village as Haku was certain that it would benefit it more than her.

The team was less than a day away from the village when they decided that they would rest and make the rest of the trip in the morning. At Naruto's insistence, the group got rooms at a hotel before they each headed out to run various errands. Sighing, Naruto stretched and then smirked as he noticed the festive atmosphere. It seemed as though the village was in the middle of some kind of festival and he knew how he wanted to spend the evening that they would be there.

"Hey Hinata? Do you wanna have our next date here?" He asked as soon as she had showered and changed.

"Yes!" She exclaimed knowing that Naruto had never really had a chance to enjoy a festival. Smiling the two teens headed out of the hotel and immediately tried to suppress their laughter as they noticed Zabuza half encased in ice as Haku's eye twitched and Sasuke sitting on the ground glaring.

"Finally managed to get the courage to ask her out?" Naruto chirped causing a growl to erupt from the other time traveller and the irate swordsman.

"Zabuza there was no need to try and kill him for that. You know he wouldn't hurt Haku." Hinata lightly scolded smiling and stifling more laughter as the twitch to his eye became more pronounced.

"Yes there was! Haku's to young to be dating!" He growled. Unfortunately, that was the straw that broke the camel's back as the two teens dissolved into hysterical laughter. Haku on the other hand just sighed.

"Zabuza-sama..."

"Haku what have I told you about that?"

"Sorry, tou-san...However, you know that I can take care of myself and I am two years older than Sasuke."

"Your point?"

"If it makes you feel better, Hinata and I can go with them on a double date and act as chaperones." Naruto said finally getting his laughter under control. "You can test Sasuke to see if he is worthy of any more dates when we get back in the village."

"Tch. Fine." Zabuza relented knowing that he had no intention of going easy on the boy. If he survived he may allow him to date Haku. He knew he was strong, there was no question about that, but Haku was his daughter damn it! As Haku unfroze Zabuza, Naruto turned to look at the Uchiha on the ground and snickered.

"Your losing your touch Sasuke." Sasuke's eyes twitched in irritation as he slowly got up from the ground glaring at the blond.

"Well excuse me for not expecting a sword to try and take my head off while asking a girl out."

"Oh Sasuke, courting rule number one: Always ask the father first in order to avoid losing your head." Sasuke felt his eyes widen slightly at the statement and he gave Naruto an incredulous look.