One common theme is redemption. Zabuza has a rather dark past as a mercenary killer, and Naruto often serves as the catalyst for his redemption in these fanfics.
Yes, there are many Naruto x Zabuza fanfics that are not of the lemon (adult - themed) variety. You can find them on various fanfic platforms like Fanfiction.net or Archive of Our Own. Just search for 'Naruto x Zabuza' and filter through the results to avoid any inappropriate content.
Good writing style also matters. The descriptions of the sword, like its appearance and the way it cuts through things, should be vivid. If the author can make you feel like you're right there in the Naruto universe, watching the sword in action, then it's a great fanfic. Also, it could explore the backstory of the sword in more detail than what was shown in the original series, which would make it really engaging for fans.
One popular 'Female Zabuza x Naruto' fanfic is 'The Hidden Bond'. It explores a unique relationship where Zabuza, as a female character, has an unexpected encounter with Naruto and they form an alliance that gradually turns into a deep friendship with hints of something more. It's well - written, with great character development.
Zabuza could be quite cold to Naruto at the beginning. He's not exactly the warm - and - fuzzy type. But when Naruto shows his skills and tells his story of being banished unjustly, Zabuza might empathize on some level. He might not show it openly, but he could start to protect Naruto in his own way, perhaps because he sees a bit of his younger self in Naruto who was also wronged by the ninja system.
One possible plot could be Naruto learning Zabuza's unique water jutsu techniques. For example, he might master the Hidden Mist Jutsu which Zabuza was famous for. This would give Naruto an edge in combat, especially in stealthy attacks.
A third plotline could be that Fem Zabuza is a time - traveler. She travels back in time and meets a young Naruto. She decides to train him, seeing his potential. As they train together, a bond forms between them. But her presence in the past also starts to change the future in unexpected ways, and they have to deal with the consequences while also exploring their relationship.
One possible plot could be that Naruto uses his shadow clones in a really unexpected and spooky way to scare Zabuza. For example, he could make the clones appear out of thin air in a dark and misty forest where Zabuza is. The clones could make strange noises and movements that Zabuza has never seen before, making him feel uneasy. Since Zabuza is used to being the one who instills fear in others, Naruto's sudden scare tactics would throw him off balance.