A/N: Part two! I love these two. I love them so much. *huggles homemade foamcore Zabuza sword*

Playlist:

"Run 2 U" – Jewel

"I will follow you into the dark" – Death Cab for Cutie

"More Love" – Dixie Chicks

Reviews fill me with

Unimaginable joy

And motivation

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Nobody needed to know certain things about Zabuza. Nobody needed to know his thoughts, his hopes, what he dreamt.

Nobody needed to know what he knew of them. Or of his own depths.

Though he shared as much as he was able with the boy with whom he shared every aspect of his life anyway, some things he could not bare to bring to light.

Zabuza had not been raised to verbalize or to be emotive. He had not led a life with required such things. A ninja needed to be silent and cold. Expressiveness was difficult for him, to say the very least. He had no words for Haku – how was he to tell him what he thought?

Nobody needed to know that the grunts and barked orders during training where the closest he knew to compliments.

"Move it, boy!" 'You're so fast - show it.'

"Work harder, lazy!" 'I know you can do this.'

"Watch your ass or you'll get killed!" 'Please be careful. I can't loose you.'

Nobody needed to know just how much he really knew about his youthful charge.

Nobody needed to hear Zabuza rattle off favorite foods, flowers, colors, techniques, weapons- all things he knew of Haku.

But he did know them.

And he knew other things. He knew that Haku was a very spiritual person. He knew that, sometimes, when something was bothering the teenager, Haku would sneak away to some quiet place and lower to his knees, where he would pray in near-silence.

Zabuza had discovered this habit one sleepless night, when he had noticed his student get up and wander away from the campsite. He had followed with the intention of teaching the boy a lesson in letting down his guard.

But when the child began to pray, his master was given pause. How was he to interrupt a child begging the gods to protect his master?

"Please take care of him," the nine-year-old Haku asked, "Please keep him safe. I want him to have his revenge, so that he can be happy. But if he gets hurt and I can't make it better…" He had trailed off into whimpers.

The stoic demon of the mists was touched.

Nobody needed to know that every time Haku went to pray, Zabuza was never far behind.

Even years later, when Haku was a teenager, Zabuza never really let him be alone. A night spent in an abandoned temple led to another night of prayer.

Nobody needed to know that, sometimes, when Haku assumed he was being silent, words escaped regardless.

Nobody needed to know just how much Zabuza wanted to go to his weapon. Nobody needed to know how strong raged the desire to sweep the boy into his powerful arms, hold him tight, and promise,

"I will always keep you. I will never hurt you. I would never get rid of you.

"I love you.

"I'm so glad we found eachother."

Nobody needed to know the oaths and dedications which would spill from his lips, had he the courage to do so.

The man snuck back to bed as his ward dried his eyes and returned.

Zabuza lay awake for the hour it would take not to arouse suspicion.

Nobody needed to know that he watched Haku as he slept, stroking his lovely long hair and reading the name on his lips.

Nobody needed to know that he imagined those same dreams.

Some things were personal. Some things were never meant to be known by anyone.

But some things…

"Z-Zabuza?" asked a quiet voice. Haku was rousing from sleep, dark eyes blinking up, widening with surprise to see the man looming above him.

"Haku," Zabuza grunted, his voice all too harsh and guttural even to his own ears.

Concerned, the boy sat up, looking around.

"Is something wrong, sir?" he asked sleepily, "Did I fall asleep too s-"

His words were killed by a pair of lips. Zabuza had yanked down his wrappings and kissed Haku full on the mouth. He simply could not stand it a moment longer.

Haku pulled back, shocked. "Sir!" he exclaimed.

"Haku," Zabuza quieted the lovely boy again, "I love you." And again he kissed him to seal the promise of those words.

Melting like snow, Haku kissed back.

Nobody needed to know what they did that night. How the two ninjas held one another, touching and whispering things that had gone too long unsaid.

Some things were personal. Some things were never intended to be known by anyone. Some things were only ever meant to be shared with one other person.

Zabuza and Haku were quietly in love. And as long as they knew this thing, nobody else mattered.