11 Friendship Forged

4/22/2009 -- 906 words

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (Rowlings) or Naruto (Kishimoto).

AN: Real life has been a bitch, just like this chapter. Yes, it's short. I know. Take what you can get. Also, thank you to whomever sent me the PM that asked WHY did Kakashi have to be conscious? He just got the shit beaten out of him by Shichibi - a coma works.

Warnings: Minor swearing, bastardization of canon, use of Japanese suffixes, possible OOC.

It was decided that Zabuza and Haku would escort Harry to the border of Fire Country along with Teams 7 and 8. Since Kakashi had yet to awaken from Shichibi's attack and two-thirds of the genin were still recovering any help was welcome. With the sudden windfall the outlaw trio obtained at Gatou's death Zabuza was one very important step closer to overthrowing the current Mizukage. Haku would not leave his savior and master but didn't hide his concern over leaving his pseudo-brother in the hands of the Leaf Village. Harry's amusement was not appreciated as evidenced by the massive knot on the back of his head.

"Relax Haku. It was no secret I'd leave to protect the Leaf kit so don't start getting cold feet on me now. Who'll watch over Zabuza-sama and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid while I'm gone if you are busy worrying about me?"

Haku smiled at Harii's gentle scolding. "And who shall watch over you Harii-kun?"

"If Shi doesn't wish me to die he will take care of the more...perilous problems," Harry replied seriously. "Otherwise I'll be fine. You know I don't go looking for trouble."

"It just finds you with stunning accuracy," Haku grumbled.

Harry just laughed.

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It was evening and Tazuna-san and Wave were miles behind them. Zabuza had set a grueling pace from the start with the single minded goal of spending as little time with the pathetic Leaf genin as possible. Even the worthless excuse for a jounin kunoichi was panting in exhaustion when he finally called for them to make camp. The only shinobi not about to drop in a pathetic heap were his protégés and the fox brat, although that last was standing more by pride then stamina.

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"How ya doin' Shino?" Naruto asked softly.

"I am well Uzumaki. I suffered minimal damage during the attack and my hive has already replaced those lost," the Aburame heir answered softly.

Naruto gave a quiet 'oh' in response and settled down for a few quiet moments before he began minutely fidgeting in place. Curious to his new...acquaintance's disposition Shino asked, "What ails you Uzumaki?"

Naruto's eyes resembled a panicked deer's and he wildly waved his arms in negation. "Nothin's wrong. Uh-uh. I was just wonderin' how ya were doin'. That bastard Zabuza's runnin' our butts ragged is all." Naruto began rubbing the back of his head.

Shino studied his companion.

''When you intentionally tell a lie it is easily detectable. However, when you unintentionally tell one it is nigh impossible to detect. Again Uzumaki, what troubles you this night?"

Naruto quickly looked away as his cheeks flushed making the whisker marks stand out.

Examining the blond's face stirred up a thought. Softly, gently like coaxing a butterfly to land he whispered reassurance to his fellow genin.

"Only I remember the red chakra. Harii-san and his companions saw to Hinata and Kurenai-sensei. They believe the mist never dispersed and thus could not see the change. Kakashi-san has yet to recover from severe electrical damage but due to the nature of the brain his memory is undoubtedly affected. Kiba, Sasuke, and Akamaru were all knocked unconscious prior to your change."

"Oh." Naruto ducked his head, his eyes hidden behind unruly bangs.

Shino observed Naruto's slumped form. While lacking in the area of human interaction it was clear his words were at least partially successful. However, Uzumaki was still upset and he didn't know what the appropriate action was in this setting.

"What do you require to feel better Uzumaki?'' he asked a few moments later. The Aburame heir watched his friend flinch like he expected to be struck. His kikai, which he discretely placed on Naruto earlier, confirmed his suspicions and suddenly it clicked - the reason for Naruto's disquiet.

''The words and beliefs of others should not and do not allow them the right to hurt children -- especially not for such asinine reasons as what their bodies contain or who their parents are or when the hell the kid was born. The child had no say in any of those circumstances so they should not be held responsible." Naruto looked up in confusion. "Do you recall Harii-san saying that at dinner last week? That no matter what my body may contain I am still as human as anyone else?'' Big blue eyes bored into him hope and wariness warring in their depths. "You are just as human as Sasuke or Kiba or I. No matter what your body contains your blood still runs red.'' It concerned him how important it was to comfort Uzumaki. Shino never before felt the need to make someone feel better - not even his own family.

"Would ya be sayin' the same thing if'n it was a demon?" Naruto asked lowly, staring directly into his eyes as if the shades weren't there.

"Would you still attempt to be my friend if you knew the devastation the Kikaichu would wreak should the Aburame ever lose control?'' Shino retorted, in the back of his mind aghast at revealing clan secrets without hesitation.

They stared at each other without blinking for what seemed like ages as the orange light of the campfire licked their faces. The fire gave a sharp crack and the two looked away. They spent the rest of their shift in silence but they knew a friendship was forged that would stand the test of time.

Leave a review, I listen! Plus, people have frequently mentioned the inconsistency of Naruto's accent. I'll try to clean it up when I have time but the idea is the less stressed he is the more normal an accent. The more stress the worse the accent.