I don't want to think up disclaimers. Think up your own. Standard disclaimers apply. Bon appetit.

A girl, seeming of Haku and Mizu's age, walked in. She walked proud, with a swagger only a kunoichi could achieve. A gray half-skirt, attached to her waist by a belt, flowed in behind her. She put her hands on her hips, her gold eyes piercing. "I'm looking for Momochi Zabuza. Take me to him."

No one heeded her.

She grabbed Haku, pulling him into her and pressing a kunai to his neck. "I'm sorry, was I not clear enough? I meant now."

Mizu froze, turned slowly. "Release him," she demanded in a cold voice.

"Awfully pretty to be a boy, don't you think?" the girl asked, cocking her head to the side.

Mizu's eyes burned into the girl's. her arm flashed out, a kunai in her hand.

The girl blocked it. While her attention was on Mizu, Haku pressed a senbon to her neck.

The girl froze, a slow smirk spreading across her face. "Stalemate?" she asked.

"No. It's never a stalemate with two people on one side," Mizu hissed.

"No matter. My point is heard. Momochi Zabuza. Now." She glanced around, suddenly realizing she hadn't attracted the crowd she wanted.

Haku's shoulders slumped. Mizu's hand dropped, as did Haku's. Mizu nodded tot he girl. "release him."

Confused, she did.

Mizu hugged Haku tightly. Not moving her lips, she said in a low voice, "I loved him too, Haku. He was like a father to me as well."

"Did you know it's two years tomorrow?" Haku murmured back.

A little boy, between one and two years old, ran up to them, a lock of black hair flopped over one eye. "Mama, Mama!" he cried, running to Mizu.

The girl grabbed him, holding him back. He started crying, still repeating his chant of "Mama, Mama!"

Mizu's eyes flashed. Before she could blink, Mizu had the girl on the ground. One foot was on her neck, the other on her wrist. She scooped the boy up, calming him. "Shh, shh, Mitsuno, sweetie. Mama's got you, you're safe."

She narrowed her eyes on the girl. "one twitch from me, you're dead. A few questions first."

"You think I fear death?" the girl asked snidely. "You don't know my past."

Mizu momentarily cut off her air. "Name."

"Arai Umi."

"Village."

Umi hesitated a spilt second, then responded, "Mist."

"What the hell do you want with Momo-kun?"

"You dare call Momochi Zabuza, Demon of the Mist, Momo-kun?"

Mizu shifted Mitsuno, putting more weight on Umi's wrist. "I called him that to his face. I live to tell the story." Even if he doesn't. Sober, she stepped away from Umi. Mitsuno cowered into her shoulder.

"What do you need to know about Zabuza-san?" Haku asked in a subdued voice.

Umi stood, rubbing her wrist. "My mother wants to see him," she responded.

"Who is your mother?"

"Arai Mitsume."

Haku paled. "Sume-okaa," he breathed. He kissed Mitsuno's head, wrapping his arms around Mizu's waist.

"You know her?" Mizu asked, leaning into him.

He nodded. "She took care of me when I was younger. After Zabuza-san found me. He had a… child with her. A young boy. He's… thirteen now. What was his name…? Kasuki. Momochi Kasuki."

"Took Momo-kun's name?" Mizu asked, a wry smile on her face.

He nodded again. Turning to Umi, he asked, "Why does Sume-okaa want to see Zabuza-san?"

Umi's flippant, devil-may-care façade cracked. She looked troubled. "Sume-okaa is dying," she whispered.

Haku closed his eyes, his pain evident.

"Im so sorry, love," Mizu whispered to Haku. To Umi, she said, "We'll take Mitsume-san to Zabuza, but I can guarantee you she won't like what she sees."

There. Happy? I finally found the first chapter, typed it up, and here y'all go. The much awaited sequel to The Angel. Review, so on so forth. I'll get working on this one, along with my other two Dark-Hunter stories. I'll try to get this one rolling, and if I take too long and there's no notice of hiatus on my profile, you're free to send me messages.