Snow drifted to the ground for the first time in what felt like years. Haku resisted the urge to run out into it with his arms outstretched in invitation. He was fifteen now, far too old for such immaturity. Instead, he looked out the window with a small smile.
Behind him, the door slammed. Zabuza was back. They were staying at an inn on the border of rain country, just a week into its winter. Zabuza had gone out for food and now stood there- Haku was sure he was glowering under those bandages- wet from the new snow. Haku, whose smile shown more clearly through his eyes than his lips now, took the bundle from his master's arms. The table was soon occupied by two plates of cooked meat and two cups of wine.
The boy waited until Zabuza was sitting before he took the other chair. Zabuza's now bare lips twitched and Haku wasn't sure if a reprimand waited on that tongue. When none came, Haku began to gingerly pick at his food. It wasn't until he sat down his chopsticks, finished with his meal, that the man finally spoke.
"Why are you still here?"
Haku, shocked and more than a bit hurt by this question, lost his smile.
"I am your weapon, Master Zabuza, to use or not use as you will. If you wish for me to leave, I will, but why-"
His words were stopped by a mere flick of the wrist from the older nin.
"Not that. Why are you still in here? You always go out in the first snow."
Haku, startled that he would remember, bit his lip as a shy blush spread over his nose. It wasn't often that the man noticed things other than about himself, and recently the boy found that he couldn't help but feel warm inside when he did.
"At this age, I am content with simply watching the snow with Master Zabuza, if you would allow it."
The man's brow furrowed as if he wasn't quite sure how to take this new development. He leveled the boy before him with an analyzing look.
Finally, with a grunt, he stood from the table only to lie down on the bed.
"Whatever. Just don't expect me to get what the hell's so nice about frozen water in the sky."
Zabuza glared at the smile Haku now wore, rolling over so his back was to the boy.