Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and only use it for entertainment purposes.
When Zabuza described Haku, he said that 'he' was stronger than him. This was a false proclamation on at least in some aspects. First Haku was not a 'he' Haku was in fact a 'she.' Second Zabuza's statement was false because Haku was weaker than him at least on a physical level. On all other matters Haku was superior to Zabuza in Ninja matters. She was better at infiltration, disguise, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and other matters. She was so skilled in fact that when she was in her normal shinobi clothing she could easily pass as a boy, even to experienced shinobi like Kakashi. How Haku was able to accomplish such a feet was through talent, a keen analytical mind, and hours upon hours of hard work. She had mastered both the subtle and not so subtle differences in how the two genders moved. Something that no Henge (Transformation) could ever do. Giving her a build in disguise that could fool anyone who had not known her true gender before.
Haku was standing at the shoreline waiting for her prey to approach. She was dressed in her feminine light pink yakata with close toed women's sandals and light make up on her face, so as to fool the approaching team. Only one had seen her as a girl and he had not seen her mask break when he knocked her over the edge of the bridge. This was why when Team 7 reached the end of the newly completed and christened 'Great Naruto Bridge' the only ones that recognized the young teen were Naruto and Sasuke, and Sasuke only vaguely (he remembered passing her on his way to get Naruto for breakfast one morning. "Hey you're…um…," Naruto began. "I don't think you ever gave me your name."
Haku gave a soft and extremely convincing false joyful smile to Naruto. After all he was the reason she was not able save Zabuza. Naruto had knocked her over the edge of the bridge and out of the fight. By the time she made it back to the bridge the fighting was over Gato was in custody and there were too many people for her to seek revenge. So she decided to put her extraordinary infiltration skills to use. Her plan was to befriend Team 7 and then when their guard was sufficiently down, she would kill them without mercy, 'Like I should have done from the beginning,' Haku thought. "You are correct Naruto. My name is Hana and I have a request I would like to ask you." Haku's fake name was one she used on several occasions. It was a common enough name around the Elemental lands so as to not through up and red flags and close enough to her own name that she would never fail to recognize it in conversation.
"Oh and what would that be?" Kakashi asked. He was on guard the moment he saw the girl for he knew she was a kunoichi. He knew this because of a few subtleties, her calloused hands, the tiny almost transparent scars along her arms, and lastly her stance. This girl's stance was guarded but tried to look off guard. The Gennin of Team 7 fell for it but Kakashi being a Jounin spotted this right away. 'This would mean she's about Chunin level.'
"I would like to accompany you to your village," Haku answered honestly. She truly did want to go to Konoha. Ninja like all humans are often more relaxed in a familiar setting. This would allow her to assassinate the members of Team 7 that much easier.
The three Gennin looked surprised and Kakashi became suspicious. "And why would you do that?"
Kakashi's question sounded casual and friendly but to an experienced infiltrator like Haku it was a demand for answers. It was time for the cover story that Haku had spent that last twenty-four hours going over in her head and perfecting so there would be no holes. "I am a Shouyou-nin (Wandering Ninja)," Haku answered. Kakashi was still suspicious but the Gennins were surprised, none more so then Naruto. "I have been looking for a village to settle in for almost a year now. I had heard that Konoha was a fair and just village. But I wanted to meet a shinobi from Konoha before I sought refuge there." She looked at Naruto with another soft yet false smile. "When I met Naruto last week while he was training I made my decision to settle in Konoha if they will have me."
Coming out of her surprise at the revelation this girl was a Ninja, Sakura asked the question that was on the Gennin's minds, "Kakashi-sensei, what's a shouyou-nin?"
Kakashi's uncovered eye stayed on Haku as he answered Sakura. "Shouyou -nins are shinobi and kunoichi that do not have a home village like Nuke-nins (Missing-ninja). Unlike Nuke-nins however, they have no village of origin. Many are not trusted by regular shinobi because shouyou -nin survive by stealing jutsu from Hidden Villages."
"This coming from the 'Copy-ninja' Kakashi?" Haku asked with a slight mocking tone. All ninja's had at least a small amount of pride in their abilities and in themselves. If Haku was too submissive then the skill level she was portraying to Kakashi would set off his danger sense.
Kakashi gave a brief nod at the jab. He was well aware of his reputation as a jutsu thief so for him to accuse another was hypocritical. This was a question to a test that Haku answered correctly. "Some have been known to try and settle in the smaller villages but very seldom do they try for the larger Villages like Konoha," Kakashi continued like he was ignoring the jab. "So the question is why do you want to come to Konoha and what can you offer?"
"I wish to settle in Konoha because it's ideals are the closest to mine, 'a ninja is at their strongest when fighting for someone they hold precious'" Haku slightly miss-quoted. Naruto and Sakura nodded at that, they had heard that philosophy among other ninjas ever sense they became Gennin. Sasuke just looked a little uncomfortable as this was counter to his personal philosophy that others would hold him back. Kakashi looked to be considering what she said. "As for what I can bring…" Haku paused to truly think the skills she was willing to say. She had formed a list of what she would show to others but not what she would tell Team 7. "I am proficient at herbal medicines and taught myself medical training as well as having a natural wind affinity."
This information actually caught Kakashi's attention. All Hidden Villages valued medics and one with experience, even if self-taught, was highly sought after. The wind affinity also caught his attention. Konoha was on the look out for ninja with a wind affinity as it was extremely rare in Fire Country. Konoha only had two known people with wind affinities, Sarutobi Asuma and Shiranui Genma. 'She's not lying about the philosophy,' Kakashi thought, which was true as Haku truly did value that philosophy so she did not have to risk covering that up. 'But she is holding back what she can do. Then again all ninja do that.' Kakashi then spared a brief glance at Naruto who looked on with curiosity and no small amount of hope. 'Well maybe not all. Hmmm I should probably work on that with him.' Turning his gaze back to Haku, "Alright you can come with us. But it will be up to the Hokage if you are allowed to stay."
Haku gave a true smile. The first step to her revenge was complete, access to her target. With a deep bow at the waist she spoke, "Thank you for this opportunity."
"Alright, Hana-chan's coming back with us!" Naruto exclaimed. Naruto had already considered her to be his friend after their first meeting. He saw something in the girl's eyes when they were talking in the woods and now in the present that he saw in the mirror every day. An emptiness that consumed the soul, strangling it, killing it until there is nothing left but an empty shell. Naruto often saw that in Sasuke but in Naruto's opinion Sasuke was too much a stuck up to become truly close too. 'Hana' on the other hand had a gentleness that Naruto found comforting. "You don't have to worry about the Ji-san (Old Man) I know he'll let you stay!"
"Well shall we get going then," Kakashi asked. "We have a long way to go before dark." The younger ninja complied and began their trek to Konoha, Naruto in the lead with Haku telling her everything he loved about his home.
The five-day journey from Wave to Konoha allowed Team 7 to form opinions about 'Hana,' as was part of her plan. Sasuke dismissed her as a danger but became a potential source of information, be it jutsu or general knowledge as Haku had briefly described the places she had been and some of the training she went through. With Sakura, Haku focused on being another girl of the group. Haku was much more professional then Sakura was by leaps and bounds but knew what it was like to be a girl surrounded by boys. So Haku focused on being Sakura's 'girlfriend' and talked with her about various girl subjects, shinobi and civilian related. With Kakashi she was slightly guarded but answered his questions with from her self-crafted background story omitting some things and 'slipping' others. This lead Kakashi to truly believe that she was a shouyou -nin looking for a place to settle down. With Naruto, Haku was becoming the closest, as per her plan as she held him most responsible her failing in her duty to protect Zabuza. With Naruto she portrayed herself as a friend that he could tell her everything a kindred soul that each was just waiting for the other to find. This worked almost too well as Naruto started to open up to her like only two other people before, the Sandaime Hokage and Umino Iruka.
From her end Haku started to file information away and began to analyze each of the members of Team 7. In Kakashi she found him to obviously be the most dangerous. Behind his lazy, perverted and slightly dopey exterior there was the heart and mind of a genius shinobi with very few weaknesses. She knew that if she let up her false identity for even a moment around him he would not hesitate to kill her. In Sasuke she found a talented yet ego driven, overly arrogant loner that would be easy to kill once you exploit his primary weakness. That weakness was once he put you into a category he ignored all other facts that did not confirm his assessment. With Sakura she found a potentially intelligent kunoichi that lacked the drive to use the intelligence at it best. The fact that she was so obsessed with Sasuke that she pretty much ignored the rest of the world was just another flaw in her character. And finally there was Naruto. She found that under all his bluster, grandstanding and loud yells there was a lonely little boy who wanted nothing more than to prove his worth to the world. An image she knew all too well for she felt the same way on the cold unforgiving streets of Kiri, until Zabuza found her.
On the final leg of their journey to Konoha there was a subtle shift in Naruto's character. The only two that noticed were Haku and Kakashi. Up to this point until he had been excited and carefree. Inside Konoha's borders his guard went up and his attitude became all but forced. It was like he was anticipating an attack at any moment, like a caged animal that was forced to perform in front of a live audience.
The fact that the shift was all but seamless was what truly caught Haku's attention. With the right refinement Naruto could become a truly great infiltrator and spy. All he needed was to expand his acting a little and he could be as good as her. The question Haku asked herself was, 'Why is he doing it?'
The answer came soon enough. The guards at the main gate were the first indication of the kind of life Naruto lived. It started when they stopped Team 7 and their guest, "I.D." the first guard demanded as the others placed themselves for a proper attack them.
"Hatake Kakashi," Kakashi said taking his I.D. from his vest and presenting it the guard. "Along with my team Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Uzumaki Naruto." The guard checked their I.D. and if they were under any kind of disguise. When he came upon Naruto he hesitated, like Naruto had some kind of infectious disease and almost did not touch him. After that he came upon Haku, "And she is?"
"Her name is Hana, she's a shouyou -nin that wishes to settle in Konoha," Kakashi answered.
"Understood," the guard replied.
Haku expected the guards to respond to her with trepidation once then learned who she was. What she was not expecting was they regarded Naruto with even an even greater amount. 'This is like the people of Kiri when they would hear about a Bloodline Limit,' Haku noted. 'It most likely has something to do with that terrible chakra he used back in Wave.'
The journey through the village was short as they took a direct path to the Hokage Tower. Along the way Haku noted the people around them. As they approached the people would put their guards up in fear and that fear would quickly turn to hate. All of which was focused onto Naruto, 'They are afraid of him,' Haku concluded. 'They would attack him if they had the chance. This is why he is so guarded.'
Soon enough they reached the Hokage Tower and entered. The Hokage was at the Mission desk handing out and receiving the day's missions. "Ah, Kakashi, it is good to see you are back safe and sound." He then looked over to Haku, "And you seem to have brought a rather pretty guest."
Haku despite all her training and self control still blushed at the attention but quickly pushed it away. This was the hardest part, convincing the Hokage, a man with decades of experience in all manners of shinobi and the strongest person in Konoha. She was like an actress about to perform to the most scrutinizing critic in the world. Everything had to be perfect. She had to be submissive but not too submissive. She had to be friendly but still guarded. She had to answer any questions he might have in the right way with just enough truth and lies all tied together so that he would allow her to stay.
"This is Hana," Kakashi introduced. "She's a shouyou -nin asking for settlement in Konoha."
"I see," Sarutobi replied. "We should discuss this in my office then and you can give your report after that."
Kakashi nodded and turned to his Gennins, "Well Team that's it for the day. You go home and take today and tomorrow off. After that we'll get back into training."
Sasuke immediately turned to leave. The less time around other people the better he felt. Or at least that was what he tried to convince himself of anyway. Sakura seeing Sasuke leaved turned to follow. She was halfway to the door when she noticed that Naruto was not with her, bugging her. Turning around she saw Naruto watching Kakashi escort 'Hana' out of the Mission Room. "Naruto are you coming?" she called.
"Huh," Naruto turned to Sakura, "Oh sorry Sakura-chan, I think I'll stay here until Hana-chan comes back."
For a moment Sakura was conflicted. 'Hana' had become a friend to her in the time they traveled and she wanted to hear the news also. On the other hand Sasuke had just left and this was her opportunity to have some alone time with him. She decided to settle for a simple compromise, "Tell me anything that happens ok."
"Sure Sakura-chan," Naruto said before heading to the Hokage's Office as Sakura ran off to catch up with Sasuke.
Inside the Hokage's Office Haku was afraid. Her entire purpose was on the line. If she could not convince the Hokage to let her stay then her only purpose in life to since Zabuza would be at an end. The Hokage for his part looked at Haku with a measuring gaze. He could tell she was good, how good he did not know. He knew she afraid by the subtle shifting of her eyes. He knew she was experienced by the way she carried herself. What he did not know was if she could be trusted.
"Well let us begin," the Sandaime said taking his seat behind his desk. "What is you name, age, and country of origin."
"My name is Hana, I have no last name. My age is fourteen. And my country of origin is Ocean Country." All this was true, even her country of origin her family have moved to the Land of Water when she was very young but she was born in Ocean Country. So there was no deception there. 'Best to honest when you can when on an infiltration mission,' she thought.
"What are your abilities and level of strength?" Sandaime had to know in order to put her into the shinobi forces.
"I am proficient in Medic training and wind based ninjutsu," Haku repeated her the story she told Kakashi. She then decided to add a little more in order show she was willing to give a little to get a little. "I also know a couple Water ninjutsu as well. And I know for certain I can fight a Chunin and live."
"So you have been to the land of Water then," the Sandaime said and Haku nodded. "Who trained you?"
This was where it was difficult as her only trainer had been Zabuza. Still that did not mean she did not know of other ninja. "Her name was Toiya Aki, I do not know much about her other than what she taught me and that she was originally from Whirlpool Country."
Kakashi looked at the Sandaime for moment. He had heard of Toiya Aki she had a reputation of teaching orphans that had the talent to be ninjas. The Sandaime on the other hand saw that she was lying but he suspected that she would lie about something. "You're lying," he said flatly causing Haku to flinch but only slightly. "Tell my who trained you or this interview is over."
Haku had to think fast. She could not lie, if she did her life's new mission would end in failure. If she told the truth Kakashi would most likely kill her on the spot. Thankfully Haku could improvise, "I cannot tell you who," the Sandaime was about to speak when she continued quickly. "I promised never to reveal his identity in order to protect him. He took me in when I was young and took care of me. I promised to protect him in anyway I could and revealing his identity would put him in danger."
The Sandaime contemplated her answer. 'She's still not telling the whole truth, obviously. But she is sincere about the promise I can tell that.' "I assume he is a Missing-nin then," Haku nodded if somewhat reluctantly, "Will not revealing his identity put Konoha at risk."
"No," Haku said firmly and truthfully. Zabuza was dead and she did not think the death of one Jounin and four Gennin would jeopardize an entire Hidden Village.
For several minutes silence reigned in the room. The Sandaime was weighing everything he had been told and his analysis. Kakashi was waiting for the order to either arrest 'Hana' or let her go. Haku was sitting perfectly still while waiting the decision that would decide her fate.
Looking into her eyes Sarutobi searched for 'Hana's' true motive. He knew that if he could determine that then he could predict her actions. The difficult part of this was the girl in front of him was extremely guarded her true motives hidden deep in her mind. 'She's as guarded as Naruto is out in the village,' the Sandaime thought. Then something clicked the part of this girl that had eluded him from the time the interview began. It was something she kept hidden that no one but a person like the Sandaime could see. A person with a lifetime of life and death situations, seeing countless people live and die, and the emotions that those events bring. 'She has lost something or better yet someone very close to her and just recently. And now she is searching for meaning in her life, just like Naruto before he decided to be Hokage.' "I have made my decision," Haku tensed, "You may remain in Konoha. For an unspecified amount of time you will be watched and put on probation. After your probation is up you can join the Shinobi force and after an assessment of your skills your rank will be determined. Regardless of your choice however you will be required to submit jutsu as a sign of good faith to the village archives. This must be done with in the first month of your stay or else your probation will be revoked and you will be banished from Fire Country. Is that understood?"
"Yes Hokage-sama," Haku answered. 'An unspecified amount of time. I will have to be extra careful until my probation is up. Once it is then I can have my revenge.'
"Then welcome to Konoha Hana-san," the Sandaime said with a kind smile. "I shall arrange housing for you as soon as I can and see about getting you temporary work."
"Thank you Hokage-sama," Haku bowed deeply. When she rose she asked, "If it is possible may I be near Naruto-san?" This caused a questioning look to appear on Sarutobi's face. "He is the first person I met from Konoha and I would feel more comfortable near someone I know."
"I think that can be arranged," the Sandaime replied. "For now though you will be staying at the Lily Hotel. It is a clean place if a bit small and out of the way. Kakashi will show you there. Now I must get back to work."
"Thank you for your hospitality Hokage-sama," Haku said with another deep bow.
After she rose Kakashi moved towards the door and opened it to reveal Naruto standing there leaning against wall opposite the door. "Naruto what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to wait for Hana-chan," Naruto admitted. "Is she going to be allowed to stay here?"
"Yes she is Naruto," Kakashi answered gesturing for Haku to come with him.
"Alright!" Naruto yelled dashing up to Haku, grabbing her hand and dragging her down the hall.
Once Kakashi closed his door Sarutobi spoke softly, "I truly hope she finds what she is really looking for.