Chapter Four: Pretend

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Just Saeko and Miku.

Hey guys. I still don't know what the couples should be. Some want Sasuke, some want Naruto and some want Kakashi. I know, it's a tough decision. Hell, I can't even decide. So I'll keep the poll open until chapter 6.

Got loads of these new ideas. Hehehe...

"Here's the nice dinner that I promised," Saeko said, holding out a pot of a soup that Haku had never seen before. Saeko then brought out a plate of watermelon, peaches and cherries.

"This seems healthy," Haku noticed.

"I haven't eaten sweets in forty years, Haku. Fruits and vegetables help us live longer and live happier," Saeko said, being pleased with herself.

Haku smiled, but thought,

Fruits and vegetables could never bring back Zabuza.

"So, my dear, are you from here?"

Haku shook her head.

It would be better if I didn't tell her everything.

"Oh? Well, where?"

"Mist."

Saeko nodded.

"Ah…a land that was torn apart because of those with a kekkai genkai…yes, I know about it. Miku went there once, and she's still there," Saeko said, in a soft voice.

Haku sighed. Why couldn't Sae-san realize? Haku was only inferring but she guessed Sae-san's Miku…was…well…dead.

"Sae-san...tell me about Miku," Haku asked. She figured that if Sae-san told her about Miku, maybe she would come to terms with Miku's death.

Saeko smiled.

"My little girl Miku was born here thirty six years. My husband, Ariyuni, left me to take care of her by myself. When she was ten years old she wanted to sign up for being a ninja. I objected at first but when I saw her potential, I knew I had to let her go. She easily became a genin at eleven and loved her teammates like family. However…one of them was murdered by their father. It sounds strange but…he had a special ability that he inherited from his mother, not his father. Miku was so upset that she made an oath. I still remember it to this day…"

Haku had expected Sae-san to burst into tears. She was still calm and happy and nowhere near sadness.

"What was it?" she asked. She wanted to help.

"'I want to become a great jounin and avenge my fallen comrade."

Haku sighed. This was getting nowhere. Maybe it was better if Sae-san still pretended Miku was alive.

"Sae-san…there's someone…that I wish was still alive…and pretending just hurts more," Haku spoke.

Saeko looked at Haku in a questionable way.

"Haku dear, why bring that up all of a sudden? Weren't you interested in Miku's tale?" Saeko asked Haku so innocently.

Haku, for a second, almost fell for that.

"Sae-san, I know how you feel. It hurts to have someone that is precious to you die. But you can't imagine as if they never died. It only causes more pain."

Saeko looked at Haku and Haku saw some water gather at the corners of her old eyes.

"I…my…Miku! I miss her so much! She-she-she died in action when in-in a mission…Dead for six years!" The grief that had been bottled up for so long unleashed as Saeko sat, crying over the dinner table. Haku stared at her sympathetically.

I should let her cry.

"It's okay, you can cry Sae-san. I will leave you in peace," said Haku. She quietly ate dinner, letting Saeko cry.

After the real crying had stopped and now she was sniffing, she spoke, her voice still a bit shaky,

"H-Haku…you were right, m-my dear. I just didn't want to face the passing of my sweet, sweet M-Miku. I feel so horrible! I loved her so much!"

Haku bowed her head in empathy and silence. Sae-san was going through what Haku was dealing with when Zabuza died.

"Do you feel better, Sae-san?" Haku said in a gingerly tone of voice.

Saeko nodded.

"Haku?"

"Yes, Sae-san?"

"You had mentioned someone precious to you. Who was it?"

Haku stopped. The old lady was trusting but she couldn't tell her Momochi Zabuza was her precious person.

"A friend of mine. A very close friend."

Saeko nodded in understanding.

"Well, you need some rest, Haku. Oh and tomorrow, I need to take care of those bruises. You would look even prettier if those healed," Saeko grinned. She was back to her old self.

Haku smiled back to Saeko.

"Thank you Sae-san. Good night," Haku left the table and went to the second bedroom.

As Haku left for bed, she heard Saeko whisper,

"Good night Haku."

S.E.: Hmmm...

Chi: Haaaa...

Natasha: Moo.

S.E.: Moo?

Natasha: Yeah. Moo.