Chapter 7:

Homecoming (Or: Debate Team)

Haku absently nudged a nearby rock with her foot as time passed at a painfully slow rate. Yasuo had gone into Konoha to conference with the Hokage as well as Danzo of the Konoha Council, and Team Three had come to a consensus that it would be safest for Zabuza and Haku to remain outside of the village until the political leaders could come to an agreement. In order to keep them from becoming bored, and so the pair didn't look like two inept invaders, the genin had stayed behind. At the moment, Dasha was regaling Naruto and Zabuza with a rousing story of a sparring match against Hayate Gekkou, and how the weapons master had actually been forced to submit to a genin. Off in the distance sat Shigeru and Akane, currently engaged in "sucking face," as Dasha put it. Haku, uninterested in tales of sparring matches and in no mood for voyeurism, was left to her own devices. She toyed with her senbon as she stared at the people who had, just days earlier, been her mortal enemies. In truth, they would likely still be foes had it not been for the compassion of a single, rather magical young man: Naruto Uzumaki. The genin had stopped in the middle of a full-on attack (she still had yet to ascertain the name and origin of that assault), refusing to kill her because she felt guilty for her deeds. What other person would refrain from capital punishment when his friend had apparently been murdered? Haku could think of none.

For that matter, all of Team Three's members were incredible. Shigeru and his Titan Armor had overpowered Zabuza in a contest of pure strength, and he had successfully countered Zabuza's Water Dragon technique. She hadn't actually seen Akane in action, but from the others' glowing laudations of the kunoichi, Haku could be sure that Akane was a deadly fighter. And Dasha…the man was so casual about everything, but became a maelstrom of destruction when finally enraged. If it hadn't been for her ice mirrors, she would have never survived Dasha's ultimate attack. He called the technique Tratnyr, after a mythical dragon-slaying spear.

Haku was pulled from her thoughts as the massive steel gate swung open. Yasuo strode through the double doors, decked out in a pair of sunglasses and looking tré chic. "C'mon, guys. The Council has agreed to see Zabuza and Haku."

Naruto immediately leapt off of the log on which he had been sitting and rushed into the village. Dasha and Zabuza followed, shaking their heads and wondering just where that kid got all his energy. Haku quickly caught up with Zabuza and engaged him and Dasha in a debate over which weapons were best for assassinations. All three parties had an ideal weapon in mind, and none were conceding any points. Shigeru and Akane hung back, slowly entering the village while whispering words of affection to one another. From his position near the front, Dasha once again made a loud vomiting noise, earning the temporary enmity of his dating teammates; not that he really cared one way or the other, mind you.

As the septet walked toward the center of the village, Zabuza was suddenly clipped by a green blur. He grabbed for the Kubikiri Houcho, ready for a battle. What he got was a pair of overly loud and expressive nutcases in matching green bodysuits and bowl cuts that would make even Bruce Lee cringe. The most noteworthy thing, of course, was the fact that both of them seemed to be growing black caterpillars on their brows. The bigger of the two pseudo-twins, whom Haku had decided to dub Thing 1, spoke.

"YOSH!!! LEE, LOOK HERE! WE HAVE TWO NEW FACES TO STOKE KONOHA'S FLAMES OF YOUTH!!!" He struck a pose with one fist pumped up in front of him while his other rested on his hip, and his teeth gave off a mild sparkle.

Yasuo rotated his little finger in his ear. "Nice to see you too, Gai. Could you please, PLEASE, turn down the volume?"

The newly identified Gai nodded. "Of course, Yasuo! But in return, you must introduce me to these newcomers!" Yeah, Haku decided she was going to stick with calling him Thing 1.

Yasuo rolled his eyes. "Okay. Haku, Zabuza, meet Rock Lee and Maito Gai. Gai, Lee, meet Zabuza Momochi and Haku Yuki."

Zabuza grunted out what was expected to pass for a greeting, once again leaving Haku to play diplomat. Trying to smooth out the situation, she extended a hand. "Nice to meet you both."

The smaller one, Lee (or Thing 2), immediately grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Yosh! Your skin is so delicate and beautiful! And you are so polite!" He dropped to one knee, looking at the ground. "Would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?"

Haku slipped her hand from his and patted him on the head. "That's very sweet, but no. I'm not looking for a relationship right now."

Lee stood, smiling. "Thank you for being so honest, Haku-san. I promise to come back at a later time and ask you for a date again." He turned back to Gai. "Gai-sensei, were we not currently in the middle of a race against the wind?"

Gai was stunned, and turned back to Lee, crying. "Lee, you're right! We've lost to the wind!" Lee bawled in response. "But Gai-sensei, we trained so hard!" Gai nodded. "It was my failing, not yours, Lee!" "No, Gai-sensei! Don't blame yourself! It's not your fault! We had to stop and say hello to Haku-san and Zabuza-san!" "You're right, Lee! We'll beat the wind next time!"

The two suddenly leapt toward one another, repeatedly calling each other's names. "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!" "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!" "Gai-sensei!" "Lee!" Things 1 and 2 collided in a hug that was simultaneously the manliest and most sissified hug Haku had ever seen, and a beach at sunset appeared in the background. Zabuza and Haku both attempted to release the genjutsu, making the Kai symbol over and over again, when Yasuo placed his hands on their shoulders. "Don't bother; it's not a genjutsu."

The bizarre pair were once again off in dual green blurs, ranting about running a hundred laps around Konoha on their hands.

Zabuza blinked, once, twice, three times. "Haku, were we better off in Kirigakure?" "…I'm not sure, nii-san."

—SCENEBREAK—

The Konoha Forum was quite the imposing arena: a circle of dirt at the bottom was to be occupied by the speaker or speakers, while the Council, clan leaders, and the Hokage sat in the stands which encircled the ring of dirt. For trials or questionings, all of the lights were dimmed, save the floodlights focused on the speakers. In this case, Zabuza, Haku, and Team Three stood in the dirt circle and gazed up at the shadowed ninja and civilians.

Lord Sarutobi, as usual, kept his face a mask of calm indifference. Like a true leader, he would reserve any judgment until the end of the questioning. Facing the Sandaime from across the room was Danzo, leader of the civilian council. He was surrounded by his ROOT ANBU, and Danzo appeared to be doing a rather accurate impression of Gendo Ikari from Evangelion. Dasha was quick to whisper this to Shigeru, and the pair snickered silently while watching Danzo try to be imposing.

The Hokage spoke first. "Zabuza Momochi, S-rank nukenin, and Haku Yuki, unregistered as a ninja, rank unknown; you have come to Konoha seeking asylum. Why should we allow this?"

Zabuza stepped forward to face the Hokage, removing the bandages from around his mouth and demonstrating to all that even the Demon of the Mist could be eloquent. "Honorable Third Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, I have not much to offer. My knowledge of the Hidden Mist Village's inner workings is dated at best, and will likely be little help overall. The only thing I can do is to appeal to you, as one man to another." He gestured to Haku. "This young woman is the sole reason I stand before you today. If not for her and her compassion for human life, I would still be a mercenary, killing for a handful of coin. As it stands now, whether or not I'm ready for it, I have a family to look out for now; Haku is my little sister, regardless of blood relation. I have to put her wellbeing before my own, and I feel that Konoha is the best place for that. If this village can breed people like the members of Team Three, then nothing would please more than to become a member of this village." He bowed and stepped back.

Danzo spoke up, directing his question to the Hokage. "How do we know he's not lying? Can we be certain that this isn't some long, elaborate plan to sabotage Konoha from within?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Sandaime Hokage, shook his head. "Danzo, sometimes you must simply have faith in people." He looked down at the seven people within the dirt patch. "Wait in the lobby while we conference."

Yasuo bowed and escorted his team out, Zabuza and Haku following close behind.

As the doors shut, Hiashi Hyuuga spoke. "I am…unsure if we can trust them or not. The conviction I heard in Momochi's voice sounded real, but he may just be an excellent actor."

"Yes, but can you really think of anyone who could fool us so completely?" asked Shibi Aburame.

Without a change in her voice, Tsume Inuzuke replied, "Dasha Ame."

Shikaku Nara shook his head. "That's a special case. He can't fake sincerity." He looked to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, I, at least, choose to believe Momochi. I will vote for his induction into Konoha when the time comes."

This statement caused quite a stir as the clan heads began to debate and draw lines in the metaphorical sand. Chouza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka, obviously, sided with Shikaku, while Hiashi Hyuuga and Shibi Aburame were the first to oppose the decision; not because they thought that Zabuza was being dishonest, but because they feared the Mist's retribution should word escape about Zabuza the nukenin settling in Konoha. Getamano Hozuka followed his niece's decision and voted for induction, while Tsume Inuzuka voted in the negative, still distrustful of Momochi's perceived sincerity.

At the end of an hours-long debate, the votes were tallied. For induction of Zabuza Momochi and Haku Yuki into Konohagakure: 7. Against: 6. The only two yet who had not cast their votes were Danzo and the Hokage himself. The head councilman opposed the induction, making the vote 7-7. Sarutobi shook his head, and voted for Zabuza and Haku's induction. "As I said, Danzo, sometimes you just need a little faith in people."

Hayate Gekkou, the perennial mediator, nodded. "Very well, majority rules. Zabuza Momochi and Haku Yuki shall be inducted into Konohagakure. After a six-month probationary period, they shall officially become ninja of Konoha." As always, he punctuated his statement with a well-placed cough.

A/N: Well, another chapter is prepared. It's sort of short, but it's basically filler in preparation for the Chuunin Exams. Now then, what do you folks think of my names for the Hokage, and Akane's uncle? Hiruzen Sarutobi and Getamano Hozuka?

On another note, I may soon be establishing pairings for Naruto, Dasha and Haku. Now then, barring yaoi/yuri (I have nothing against it; I just can't write it with the same panache), who would you like to see them paired with? Yes, Haku could be paired with Naruto or Dasha, but I don't want any love triangles. Drop me a review and tell me what you think! You, the reader, may have a chance to influence my writings!

*Disclaimer: I make no promise to carry out the wishes of my reviewers. If I find myself unable to write a certain pairing, I'll not force myself. This is wholly dependent on how well the pairings flow onto the paper (or, at least, the digital representation of paper).