A/N: This is my first Naruto fic! I've always been fond of Haku-kun and Zabuza-san so lets see how this turns out. I'm really trying to keep this in character and I'd appreciate it if you left a review. Please enjoy!

Note: This story contains yaoi (boy X boy) romance. If you don't like that sort of thing please don't read it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters in it. That'd be sweet if I did though.

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Silent footsteps made their way down the dark corridor. Each taking great care to be steady and stealthy. Quickness came along with them as their owner kept his balance upon the wooden boards. His efforts seemed to be working, his master had not yet called out to him to be quiet.

The shuffling style stopped as he reached his destination. His hand reaching from his side and to the sliding door. It opened with a simple tug as the florescent light within flickered on. He stepped onto the cold tiling and began his search through the medical cabinet.

It was filled with several miscellaneous bottles, jars, boxes, and creams. Everything ranging from cut healing powders, to cough syrups, and even to falsely marked bottles. Purposely marked as to fool any intruder that may attempt to better himself. Of course the young man searching was to cleaver to fall for his own trickery.

His skilled fingers skimmed over many of the jars and into the random assortments of boxes that filled the cabinet. Still he felt emptiness within them. Nothing but dried up soap bars and the occasional abandoned wrapper.

A frustrated sigh escaped his smooth lips. His eyes narrowing in agreement as he began to pull out the seemingly empty squares. His mind fully aware that his efforts were not in vain. No. Those bandages were in here and he would find them.

"…Ah." He smiled as he tugged at the small white roll hidden beneath the boxes contents.

Gently, he placed the said items back in their proper positions and headed back to his original room. A simple click of the door as he stepped out, and a quiet snap as the light switched off.

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'Rip.'

'Rip.'

The cloth bandages started to fray as the adolescent tugged at them vigorously. His hands, which were normally skilled, had become so frail and sensitive as the night progressed. He was already beginning to adapt to his new situation and yet his mind remained in a state that said his elegant hands would still handle any problem. Some tasks were easy as always but now it seemed that bandaging his wounds was an unthinkable chore.

'Rip!'

White tape flew in the air as he jerked it away from its roll. The long strand dangled within his grasp as his fist shook. Blood dripping from his tooth-punctured lip as he held back a cry. This was ridiculous. Truly outrageous.

It's nothing. A few bruises at the most…

His arm pulsed as he wrapped the firm tape around it. Covering and hiding the purple markings that skipped along his entire left side. Some had even broken his once ivory skin and bled until dried. He choked back disgust and continued nursing himself. His body had to be in good enough shape for the task at hand. Even if the swelling stopped it would be something.

"No more mistakes…I will not disappoint him. Today was my last mistake."

Tingling sensations crawled up his wrist as he finished covering the swollen patterns. It felt as if the blood may have been cut off…No. He had done this many times in his life and never screwed up such a simple task.

Of course…He had fought many battles in his short time on the earth and had never messed up like today. Today when it counted the most.

"Zabuza-san…"

His mouth snapped shut after his master's name had slipped passed his sweet lips. That name that he didn't even feel worthy enough to speak. If only he had pleased his sensei…Then…Then he could say that wonderful name and feel proud. But his uselessness wasn't worthy. It would take much more time to gain back his sense of ability before that name could sound like it meant something. Like it had love behind it.

"Agh…"

A quiet grunt elapsed as he attempted to lay back against his soft pillow. His back easing as he let go of his muscles tension. Yes, that was much better than sitting upright and nursing his already throbbing arm. Hopefully he wouldn't have to do it again.

No…No never again.

I will make you proud again. I swear I will. Negotiations tomorrow, I'll be right there by your side if you'll have me. They try anything I'll tear them apart for you. You won't have to waste your precious energy.

A slight smile twitched upon his mouth. He always tried to keep this upbeat attitude. He had to. Not for him but for his master. His master was all that mattered and he needed a tool that could do anything for him on command. To give a signal and his weapon would launch an attack with no intention of stopping. His mindset was just that. Zabuza's wish was his alarm to destroy like any useful tool.

His lips ceased their happiness as a slash of memories demolished his pretty picture. Memories of his weakness, his inabilities, and those awful flashes of the days battle. His loses and those that would surely come if he was not able to prove his worthiness. He couldn't allow that. Zabuza would never see his weakness and his bruises. He would hide them and stay strong for his beloved person. Even if the pain crushed him, if the bandages tore off, if he died protecting him…Zabuza would never see a hint of struggle.

"I wasn't thinking."

Haku stayed unaware of his silent ramblings to himself as he replayed their recent fight. Only one goal stiffened in his thoughts-to discover what went wrong as to correct it next time.

Sakura…They were beautiful.

He recalled the bright and colorful blossoms that bloomed within the deepest realms of the thick mist. Fog that was only an illusion but brilliant colors that were all to real. Their beauty stood out among the watery sight and seemed to call out for anyone that would listen. And that day Zabuza had returned their wish…Or that is how his young companion liked to vision it.

After hours of intense negotiating and many arguments, the duo had left to think over the client's case. It wasn't long before the older man spoke of his head aching from the odd position they had been placed in. Haku didn't hesitate to offer medication when they arrived home and perhaps a meal. However his master declined and suddenly wished to take the long route through the Sakura. Of course he didn't need to tell his weapon why he wanted too, it wasn't his business and he already knew the answer. They were being followed.

Covering in a heap of bright pink petals wasn't exactly a good idea but it was the only one. Every other tree was obviously covered in traps and snares around the circular building they had just left.

Both rogue ninjas had simply done a few crafty jutsu to pull the threat from their trail. They bought it and were easily decapitated by Zabuza's massive sword. However before either could catch the scent of the beautiful blossoms, they were ambushed by several camouflaged shadow clones. Most were taken out by said sword and a few preciously thrown senbon. Still these were jonin they were dealing with and it wasn't long before they found themselves being attacked in enormous numbers.

None of them could touch Zabuza with his skill in all forms of ninja techniques. Anything they threw was thwarted and given back ten times. Even Haku's mind slipped for a moment to admire that kind of grace in battle. He clearly remembered those rushing minutes in which he fell from reality to see his sensei in an almost slow motion. Movements that not even the most advanced jonin could detect but for Haku he could see right through it all. Not because his skills were more controlled but because he knew his master and all those wonderful uses of jutsu.

And in that spilt second within those flying minutes, Haku found himself being crushed under the weight of powerful assassins. All of them attacking his arms, hands, wrists, and legs. Anything to destroy his use of senbon or hand signs. They nearly broke every bone in his arms as he struggled to regain control. Finally one hit a tender area in his wrist and he let out a scream that he thought would drive him to insanity. The flowing pain jolted up his arm and even back down along his side. He could only gasp for air as his mind raced back to Zabuza…Was he alright? Did he get hurt? Were these assassins doing this to him?

And just he imagined that his death was on the horizon, that great sword swooped right across every single jonin's middle. Their lifeless bodies hitting the ground as silent befell the Sakura. The young man had only stayed there for a moment more before he heard footsteps stopping at his side. Feelings of a dark stare looking down upon him. He knew well that he had failed and deserved these punishing looks. He even deserved to be left there to die like a broken tool…His usefulness seemed to be at an end as he decided long ago that if he should ever fail, he needed to die alone. But to his shock, his fragile figure was lifted from the ground and gently cradled within warm arms. A firm hold hurting his arm but again he deserved to feel pain.

And before he could black out he managed to apologize to his master. To say his greatest regrets of not being there to be a perfect weapon and of course to say that he wasn't worthy of being a tool. His eyes had fallen shut and all had been closed off.

Warm eyes blinked as Haku recalled these events. A pause ceasing in his head as he tried to remember that solid goal he began with. To find his flaws and correct them. But why had he bothered to go on to that point where sensei had been his savior? Maybe to force himself to think that he needed to be pushed to practicing longer hours. To have Zabuza as his drive to be perfect.

I'll focus more. I'll only see protecting him. Prove it tomorrow.

'Click.'

His eyes shot over to his doorway. It was cracked slightly as the darkness of the hallway loomed in. The light of his lamp showing small hints of a pair of familiar feet directly outside.

"I'll be going to the meeting alone."

The young ninja stood from his bed, using his utmost strength to stand erect before his master.

"Zabuza-san…I'm perfectly fine. I am. I'm so sorry for earlier, I can't apologize enough but it will never…"

"Don't argue with me."

He gasped quietly before holding nodding slowly. After everything he had no right to backtalk or to even speak.

"You're injured. Go to sleep."

The door clicked once again as it slid shut. Echoes of footsteps made their short way to the next room. Another more violent shut was heard before silence overcame the cold house.

Haku only did as he was told. Shutting the light off, painfully covering himself, and quickly heading off to sleep.

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A/N: That was chapter one! I will get more yaoi in I promise! Please, please, please leave a review and tell me if you liked it. I hope you did cause I had to rewrite this about nine times before I enjoyed it. Thank you!