Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Early the next morning, as soon as they were packed, they headed out back towards the Mist. They had to take breaks more often because of Haku's lack of stamina. Ann also figured out that if she kept pace with Haku instead of Zabuza, he would slow down for her. Mei and Zabuza spoke in whispers after she noticed.
Mei~She has you wrapped around her finger, you know.
Zabuza~Just don't tell her.
Mei~I'm pretty sure she knows.
Zabuza~Until it's acknowledged she'll stick to testing the boundaries.
He turned a bit to check on the two. Haku was huffing, and Ann was lightly panting. He turned forward to see if there was a better spot to rest than where they were already at. He spoke normally so the kids could hear him.
Zabuza~Water break. You two, sit.
Ann~Finally.
She plopped herself down while Haku knelt.
Mei~Think she'll be just like her?
Zabuza~She already is.
Ann~Are you talking about me?
Zabuza~No. Drink your water. Haku, do you need more?
Haku~No, not yet, Zabuza.
Ann~How much further? Will we even make it back today?
Mei~Probably not until evening or past nightfall. Depends on pacing.
Haku~I'm sorry…
Zabuza~Don't start that. Acknowledge the weakness and move on to do better. Saying sorry for it won't make a difference one way or the other.
Ann~It isn't your fault anyway, Haku. You don’t have training yet.

Like Mei predicted, they were approaching the village by evening, and they had taken a break at that time. It’d be nightfall by the time they reached the gates, which was still at least another hour.
Zabuza~Ann, do you remember the route we took to reach the gate when we left?
Ann~I think so…Are we separating?
Her brows furrowed.
Zabuza~For a short while. Mei and I need to report in first. I also don’t want what happened last time to happen again.
Ann~Oh…
Mei~You won’t be alone though, right Zabuza?
Zabuza~No. Haku’s going with you. Once we start moving again, the two of you are gonna walk parallel to us in the treeline, like when we left, and then go straight home. Ann, you know the routine.
Ann~What if I get us lost?...
Zabuza~You won’t. But if I get home before the two of you do, I’ll still come get you.
Ann nodded, but pouted all the same. Haku watched their interaction closely. It was obvious to him that they weren’t father-daughter, but there was still a very close familial bond of sorts. He decided that it'd be better to ask them later if Zabuza doesn't explain it first.

Zabuza~Ann, remember what I taught you. Haku, stay close to her and keep up. No breaks between now and until you get home.
Mei~That's a lot of responsibility for them to shoulder. Especially Ann. Poor kids…
Ann gave him a hug before starting towards the treeline. Zabuza patted Haku's head then gently pushed him to follow Ann. Mei spoke quietly
Mei~If I didn't know any better I could have said you worried about them.
Zabuza sighed as they started to move
Zabuza~Wouldn't you? The only benefit is that they have the darkness of night to cover them as they make their way home. Hopefully that's all they need to do

Haku~Are you alright?
Ann~Nervous. I've never had to go home by myself before…We have to stay quiet though. Only talk when necessary.
Haku~Okay. I'll do my best.
He followed her lead. After almost two hours of walking, they made it to the west gate. He waited as Ann paused to watch Zabuza and Mei go through the gate and followed Ann when she started moving again.
It was quite dark because of the trees, and Haku was impressed with how well Ann was navigating through it. She even steadied him from tripping over a tree root. They moved slowly so Ann could listen to their surroundings and keep them from stepping on fallen twigs.
Things were going smoothly until Ann perked up. She pulled Haku to follow her to duck behind a tree. They stayed low to hide in the shadows, and Ann did her best to stay calm so she could suppress her chakra.
A shadowed figure appeared where they had been just moments before. She listened closely to try to decide which direction it was going to move in, but it hadn't moved since it came down. Then it called her name in a familiar voice.
She stayed still, waiting, hoping. Zabuza warned her about imposters as there were illusion type jutsus. Finally, she heard their safe word. The figure spoke her full name.
Ann pulled Haku again, this time to Zabuza. She grabbed onto his leg.
Zabuza~Hey, easy. I said I'd come for you, didn't I?
Ann nodded.
Zabuza~Let's get going then.
He grabbed Ann's bag to shoulder then picked up Haku to situate him in one arm. He turned back to Ann and held her hand so she could climb him and be carried in his other arm.
Zabuza~Stay quiet. You guys weren't too far from home.

He ran the rest of the way home. He set them down to open the door then quickly ushered them both in.
Zabuza~Go use the bathroom. Take turns. Then go sit at the table to rest a bit before dinner.
Ann moved first. Zabuza stopped Haku.
Zabuza~Report. What happened after we separated?
Haku~Quiet. Ann is very observant. She was always checking for things. She kept me from tripping too. Ann pulled us into cover before you appeared.
Zabuza~Good. You'll learn those skills too. It's only been a few months since she started training. I expect you'll catch up quickly. Then you can start properly protecting her. The bathroom is down the hall, second door on the right.
He took Haku's bag before sending him off and putting their bags down next to his things. Zabuza moved to the kitchen to start dinner.

After the two had some time to sit at the table, Zabuza had them help finish making dinner. All the while, he thought about his report with Yagura. It was simple enough, but the air around him was different. He seemed to have slipped more while they were gone. Like he was losing control over his sanity and needed to compensate for more power. There were a few extra Maw soldiers in and around his office.
That unease followed Zabuza home because even his apartment felt off balance. However, nothing seemed out of place. Every nook and cranny was checked for bugs with his chakra, as small electronics had some sort of feedback when enough of it was nearby. He wanted to chalk it off to just not being home for a few days and that he was just being paranoid, but that lapse in caution could be the reason why he ended up losing Ann.
When they finished eating, he directed Haku to do the dishes while he went to give Ann a bath. He hadn't gotten a lot of one-on-one time with her because of the mission, so he wanted to finally take some time to see where she was emotionally.
Zabuza~How are you holding up?
Ann~What do you mean?
Zabuza~Before we left, you were just…small…a kid…
He poured water over her head.
Ann~Oh…Right…I…I think I’m okay now. I want to know more, though…
Zabuza~I know. But there isn't a lot I can share, not right now at least.
Ann~Why can't you tell me anything?
She pouted. He sighed because he wanted her to be prepared, but he couldn't share anything with her. It would mean sharing the burden of understanding the stakes of her safety. Zabuza just couldn’t do that to her.
Zabuza~You’re just…too young right now…Not experienced enough to really understand what’s happening…
Ann~Okay…Can I have the rest of that ice cream?
Zabuza~No, brat. You already brushed your teeth. Maybe tomorrow.
She huffed. Zabuza saw her ear twitch towards the door at the same time he heard Haku’s soft knock. Her hearing was starting to get better. He can’t swear under his breath anymore.
Zabuza~Come in, Haku. Go brush your teeth. There’s a wrapped toothbrush for you on the counter.
Haku padded inside to do as instructed. He also observed them through the mirror, seeing how Zabuza was careful with washing her. The man took his time to work out tangles in her hair before scrubbing her down. He even made sure to use his other hand to keep the water from running down her face when he rinsed her hair. Haku had finished brushing his teeth when Zabuza pulled Ann out of the tub and sent her to their room. He pulled the plug for the drain.
Zabuza~Go get a change of clothes. Your bag is still by the door. You’re washing up before bed as well. I’ll be back to help you.
Haku~Yes, Zabuza.
He went back to the front door as Zabuza made his way to the bedroom, which Haku assumed was to tuck Ann into bed. Where was he going to sleep, for that matter?

By the time he went back into the bathroom with a set of clothes, Zabuza was already back and running another bath for him.
Zabuza~I’m sure you can figure out the hot and cold water, but changing the water to the showerhead isn’t obvious.
Haku~A-are you going to give me a bath too?
Zabuza~I don’t have to. It just makes it easier to know what level of training I can start you at.
Haku nodded even though Zabuza’s back was turned to him. The boy shifted on his feet a few times before he spoke up.
Haku~Zabuza?
Zabuza~Yes, Haku?
Haku~I don’t…There isn’t a lot I can offer…But…
Zabuza~Stop. I chose to take you in for your abilities. If I needed a body for that, I know where I could get one, and it wouldn’t be coming into my home. Especially in my bed. What I need is a weapon, a tool, to help me protect Ann at any cost until I can do what needs to be done. Don’t ever consider offering yourself like that to me again. Do you understand?
Haku~Y-yes, Zabuza…I…I just–
Zabuza~You can show your gratitude to me by doing what I tell you and by training to protect her. Whatever you had to do on the streets to survive stays there. I have the means to provide food and shelter for you without it being a burden. The only thing that carries over is your perseverance to endure.
He turned off the water and turned to Haku.
Zabuza~Do you have any other concerns I need to be aware of?
Haku~No, sir. Thank you, Zabuza
Zabuza~Do you want to bathe by yourself? I can look you over in the morning instead.
Haku~I…I…
Zabuza~I'm not going to give you commands for every little thing. I still expect you to have a level of agency to make calls based on information I might not have. Like right now.
Zabuza didn’t particularly care how used Haku was, but children exposed to that at a young age usually have some sort of psychological and/or mental health issues because of it. He didn't want to push the boy to do something related to that trauma. Visually inspecting him is faster than checking his movements during training, but he wanted Haku to choose what he was comfortable with without basing it off of his motives.
Haku~I…I'd prefer by myself…
Zabuza hummed and nodded, then pointed at the faucet and drain as he spoke
Zabuza~That's fine. Pull this to change to the shower. Call me back if you're unable to pull the drain or if you need anything else. That towel is yours.
He pointed at the folded towel on the counter that wasn't there before.
Haku~Okay, thank you.
Zabuza stood up, patted Haku's head as he left, and closed the door behind himself. He went to the kitchen to inspect Haku's work.

Zabuza hummed in approval that he didn't need to give Haku more than wash the dishes for the job to get done properly. It meant he didn't grow up on the streets and was likely forced to be there after becoming an orphan. He didn't have much else to do until Haku finished, so he went to unpack their bags for the time being. Anything he didn't finish he could do in the morning anyway.
He was still sorting through his bag when Haku came out the hall
Zabuza~Done? Are you ready to sleep?
Haku~Yes, Zabuza.
Zabuza~To the bedroom.
He led the boy to the bedroom. Ann was already fast asleep and had sprawled across the bed again. Zabuza rolled his eyes.
Zabuza~This ******** brat…Haku, you're on that side.
He pointed to the opposite side of where he was walking to adjust Ann back to one side of the bed. It was a good thing she was typically a heavy sleeper.
Haku got into bed and noticed there was a pillow to separate him and Ann again.
Haku~Where will you sleep?
Zabuza~My bed is bigger than that one at the inn. I'll be in soon. Get some rest. Ann might be a handful tomorrow.
He brushed Ann's hair back.
Zabuza~The pillow is just to keep her from rolling into you. She likes to have contact and it's hard to pull away sometimes. Good night.
He stood and started to leave.
Haku~G-good night…
He watched Zabuza leave the room and enter the bathroom. The bed was big enough for all three of them. Haku trusted that Zabuza would keep him safe, but having been on the streets for weeks made him wary. Before, he used to sleep with his parents on tatami mats to keep warm during the winter months. Then he found out about his powers. And the man he once called father killed his mother and went after him.
Haku curled up. He didn't like that he still had nightmares. Yesterday was the first night he had since his parents’ deaths he slept through the night. He wasn't sure it'd happen again.
Haku was so caught up about his nightmares he didn't hear Zabuza return, and gasped when he felt the bed dip.
Zabuza~I thought you were already asleep. Is something wrong?
He settled himself in between the two kids. Zabuza quietly sighed when Ann gravitated to his side before he had a chance to get comfortable.
Haku~N-no…I…It's…
Zabuza~Take a deep breath and count to five, then hold it for five, and release it for five. If you’re still unable to find the words it's okay. If you're uncomfortable with co-sleeping with me, tap my arm and I can go. It's understandable.
Haku followed the breathing exercise twice and felt himself calm down considerably. He took one more breath before speaking.
Haku~I usually have nightmares. Last night was the first time I didn't dream them. I'm…I'm scared they'll come back…
Zabuza heard him sniff. Without a second thought, he put an arm around him and pulled him to his side. He noted how easily he could feel the boy's ribs for later, and instead rubbed his back.
Zabuza~I'll be here. Don't concern yourself with my sleep. This brat's already taken that from me since she's been in my care.
He let out a half-hearted chuckle
Zabuza~Another sleepless night won’t do me in.
Haku nodded into his side and tried not to cry. It had been so long since he had felt this safe. He held onto the man’s shirt, not wanting him to go away.
Haku~Th-thank you, Zabuza…Thank you…
Zabuza held him a little tighter, and Haku quietly let the tears fall.