Haku was thinking as he walked along beside Zabuza, wondering what reaction he would receive should he mention the coming holiday. He wanted to get his master a present; he had heard that people bought their loved ones gifts on the holiday, but he doubted that he'd be given permission to go into a village alone with no decent reason.
"Z-Zabuza-san? What do you think about Christmas?" he asked shyly, looking up at him.
"It's a waste of time, Haku," the older man answered gruffly. Haku just sighed and nodded, stumbling slightly before turning his attention back to the path. It would seem he wouldn't be able to get a gift after all.
Haku sighed, sitting beside the fire he had just finished making with Zabuza sitting beside him, his bandages off so that he could eat once their meal was ready. He was still feeling upset that he wouldn't be able to do something nice for the older man, and even if he could then it would be considered idiotic.
The feminine boy looked up, seeing a snowy owl on a branch directly above them. He frowned in confusion when he saw that the bird had some kind of plant in its beak, being too high up for Haku to see what it was.
"Zabuza-san? Can you see what's in that owl's mouth?" he asked softly, the older man looking up to the white bird.
"Probably just some fl…" he muttered, trailing off, his eyes going wide, "That stupid bird has mistletoe."
Haku blinked and tilted his head to the side, looking at Zabuza curiously; he had never learnt about that plant.
"What's that, Zabuza-san?" he asked quietly, the older man pausing for only a moment before smirking and pressing his rough lips against Haku's soft ones. The young boy sat shocked for a few moments, finally kissing back shyly. They pulled back only a few seconds later, the smaller of the two smiling brightly.
"That, Haku, is mistletoe," the older man said, leaning back against the tree as the owl flew away.
"…Merry Christmas, Zabuza-san."
"You know what? Maybe this holiday isn't entirely pointless after all. Merry Christmas Haku."
