Ohayo, everyone. Well, it's morning as I submit this, anyway...

I am rewriting 'Contribution' and have changed my name for reasons I'd rather keep confidential. You have likely noticed the rating change. You know what that means.

I have been honing my writing skills, so this will hopefully be somewhat better than what I submitted the first time, but live and learn, no?

I don't think I'll reintroduce the 'authors note' in the beginning and end of each chapter, because it messes up my thinking on how to portray the characters' personalities. I have however, read some comedy from various authors of books and fanfictions, (including Bill Bryson and Ambrant Arandel) so I think I can keep the characters in tune while still adding an element of humor to it, unlike last time.

For those who are just joining me now, ohayo to you to. M'name's Rai, you will address me as such. This fic revolves around Haku. Everyone's favorite, girly spring flower who I can relate to. Yes, he's alive, well, and straight on top of it, so any yaoi fangirls are asked to please leave the immediate vicinity. (Gestures toward the 'back' button.)

Well, here goes.

The boy's feet were worn and sore from their constant use on the footpath. His long and unkempt hair rustled in the breeze. A bindle full of onigiri and hardtack was slung over the shoulder of a pink kimono, which was too big for him.

Sweet Spring air filled his nostrils and tugged at the loose clothing, except for one piece. A hitai-ate tied firmly to his shoulder, four symmetric waves etched into the surface disturbed the smooth and luminous sheen of the metal.

Plants around this boy were springing to life after winter's cold embrace, and the boy stopped momentarily to look down at the side of the path. A small daisy, insignificant perhaps, but what else did the boy have to do? He bent over and plucked the young flower, inhaling its scent deeply, before pulling it back to examine the white petals.

"My namesake," he said deliberately. "Haku," At this, he laid the juvenile plant between his ear and temple, adding even more so to the effeminate air about him. The young man continued to walk in silence.

Despite the carefree atmosphere about this boy, he was anything but. He was living in poverty. Life was hard for a nuke-nin, and he did not want to take part of it anymore. Part of the reason it was so hard to find work anymore was because of the same hitai-ate he wore on himself, but he refused to take it off. This was no ordinary forehead protector. Pale fingers found their way to the sheet of cloth and steel. Haku's heart ached. "Zabuza otou-san..." he whispered. The man who had raised him and died for him. In all aspects his adopted father.

Haku's course was to Fire Country. It had been around– oh, three or four months since he had escaped. He had found another sensei for a temporary period. One of the legendary Saanin, the one said to have tamed the snake boss and created his own village. The great Orochimaru-sama. Haku had joined him willingly, in hopes of finding another father, but immediately fled when he learned of a conspiracy to kidnap one Haku had befriended. The one called Uchiha.

Haku ran a hand through his hair. It was strange, it was almost as if Orochimaru had let him escape. He had sent no tracker nin to recover him, no traps, no assassination attempts... odd. He let the thought drop for the moment and focused on the task at hand. He needed to reach Konoha, and quickly, and be able to prevent the deed from becoming accomplished. He had been traveling for weeks on end by foot, living off of whatever he could throw a senbon at, and was hoping that he might be able to get a job with decent wages at the leaf village. He also wanted to see some old friends there. He inwardly grinned and spurred his legs into a run with some difficulty, given that he was wearing a kimono, but he kept at it in the anticipation of seeing team 7 again for the first time in half a year. He was very close now. He could feel it.

Eventually, the boy's legs slowed to a halt at the edge of a cliff looking over a great city. Not far below him was a large gate with several kanji on the top. "The Village Hidden in the Leaf" He said aloud. "It's about time,"

Haku hastily began to descend the cliff, his heart warmed at the prospect of warm food and friends.

Well, I am really very sorry that this is so short everybody. You tell me. Do you want shorter chapters and more updates, or longer chapters and less updates? Seriously, please tell me.

Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Please R&R

–Rai