I am on a roll with this story! I'm glad you guys like it so much! I do not own Naruto. Enjoy!

Haku awoke feeling very warm compared to what he had felt when he had first woken. I've been saved. Oh my god…Itachi saved me…That was when he became aware of arms tightly wrapped around him, adding to the warmth of the wool blanket that was wrapped around him.

"Itachi…" he mumbled, glancing over at the sleeping Uchiha.

Onyx eyes opened up and regarded him coolly. "So you managed to stay alive. Good job."

The arms unwound from around him and Haku found that he missed their warmth.

"You saved me…" Haku trailed off.

"Yes…I did, didn't I?" Itachi mused, as if finding the fact hard for he himself to believe.

"Thank you…I was afraid…there was that…thing…" Haku whispered, shivering unintentionally.

Itachi wrapped his arms back around him without a second thought, holding him close. "Forget about it. Are you well enough to travel?"

"Yes. I'll be fine. Are my clothes dry?"

"They should be. The old lady dried them for you," Itachi told him, getting to his feet. "They're to your left. Don't worry, I won't look."

He turned away and Haku quickly scrambled out of the blanket and changed into his old clothes, instantly feeling warmer. Upon realizing that he didn't have his mask he felt a feeling of vulnerability, wrapping his arms around himself.

"What's wrong?" Itachi asked, sensing his unease.

"My mask…it's gone…"

Itachi reached into his pack and pulled out his cloak as well as the shattered remains of Haku's mask.

"I can try and fix it if you want," Itachi said.

"I've got it," Haku replied, drifting his hands over the pieces, smiling gently when they melded together quickly upon feeling his chakra. He slid the mask into place and looked up at Itachi. "The old woman…is she still here?"

"She's sleeping. I told her we'd be gone by morning," Itachi said. "Let's go."

"Right, Itachi-sama."

"Drop the suffix. Itachi is just fine."

Haku smiled behind his mask and trailed after Itachi and back out into the cold world outside.

IHIHIHIHI

"So you almost died?" Tobi gasped for the seventh time.

Once they had arrived back at the hide out, Haku had met the rest of Akatsuki, including Tobi who had insisted on hearing the story several…hundred times.

"Tobi-san. Shut up and eat before I eat you!" Zetsu growled, arms folded across his chest.

"Yes Zetsu-sama."

Zetsu, Tobi, and Haku sat around a small table in Zetsu's room, eating the sandwiches Tobi had made. Zetsu wasn't eating and Haku was startled to find that Zetsu didn't eat normal food, but human flesh, so he knew that the threat he had given Tobi was indeed, real.

"Just as long as you completed the mission, it doesn't matter who almost dies or who actually does die for that matter," Zetsu said. "I'm amazed Itachi actually went back for you."

"So am I actually," Haku admitted. "He didn't seem like the time to care."

"He probably doesn't," Tobi told him. "He probably just didn't want to have to find another partner."

Haku nodded. "You're probably right." So does that mean he only held me all night because he didn't want to take the time to find another partner? "I'm finished. Thank you Tobi-san."

Haku thought Tobi was beaming at him though he couldn't be sure. He disappeared out of Zetsu's room and slowly made his way back to his own. He was so lost in thought he didn't notice a figure detach itself from the shadows in the hallway and trail behind him until he was tapped on the shoulder. Startled, Haku whirled around, fighting needle out.

"Hey there pretty boy," Hidan greeted, the creepy grin still on his face.

"Leave me alone," Haku growled, opening his door and shutting it before Hidan could say anything. For good measure, he locked it as well with both chakra and the physical lock.

"Oh come on. Don't be like that," Hidan called. "I'm just looking for a good time!"

"Shut up and leave him alone," came a new voice.

"Hey Konan. I was just-ah! What was that for! Bitch," Hidan grumbled.

"Haku, open the door. It's me," Konan said.

Haku waved his hand over the lock, releasing the chakra and then opening it for the blue haired female Akatsuki member to walk in. She shut the door behind her and moved to sit on the bed, patting beside her for Haku to join her.

"So…how are you?" she asked, seeming genuinely concerned. To be honest, she was the only one Haku really liked besides Itachi.

"Fine. Hidan is just-"

"A pervert. Yes, I know," Konan told him, smiling gently. "How was the mission? Pain-sama didn't tell me how you did."

"I was captured, almost frozen to death, and then almost eaten by a gigantic snake…other than that…it was fine," Haku informed her.

Konan giggled, a light sound that made Haku feel a little better. "You seem so positive Haku. That's good. Everyone could use a little bit of that. So…Itachi saved you?"

"Yeah…I'm surprised. I didn't think he would," Haku admitted.

"Itachi…doesn't like feeling…anything. He believes it to be weak. He probably told you he only saved you because he didn't want to find another partner," Konan sighed.

"Actually no. He didn't say anything about it," Haku told her. "He actually seemed concerned."

"Hm…so you're making him open up finally…but there's something you need to understand Haku," Konan started. "Kisame's loss affects Itachi more than he lets on."

"Why?"

"He and Kisame were lovers," Konan answered. "They really loved each other."

Haku stared at her in shock. "They…did…?"

"Yes. In fact, everyone else here was jealous of their relationship. Some tried to break it up, like Hidan for instance. So just…give him time."

"So…that's why he didn't want me in Kisame's room," Haku mumbled. "He almost lost his cool when I sat down on Kisame's bed."

"Itachi…is more sensitive then people think. But he'll open up to you eventually. He did eventually with Kisame. He will with you too," Konan told him, smiling again. "I hope things turn out okay with you two."

"But Konan. I don't-"

"You say that now Haku. But just wait. I know what I'm talking about," she said with a wink. "Now get some rest."

She patted his knee and then exited his room. Konan…You may be right…

IHIHIHIHI

Itachi stared into the pool in Kisame's room as he swung his legs through the cool water, thinking hard. Had he really felt fear about the loss of Haku's life? Had he really…felt? Again? What was Haku doing to him? Because he couldn't take it.

He stood up, grabbing the towel next to the edge and trying off his legs before tugging the pant legs down and readjusting his cloak. Then, he walked silently over to the door separating his and Haku's rooms, opening it quietly.

Haku was curled up on his bed, arms wrapped around a pillow and sleeping soundly, his breathing deep and even. Itachi sighed. He'd have to wait until later to talk to Haku because at the moment, he needed as much rest as he could get to fully recover from what had happened.

Itachi glanced around his old room, surprised to see Zabuza's sword propped up against the wall nearest the bed. Still clinging to his old master…he thought. Though I guess it is to be expected after the man saved him from dying. Why do I even want his affection so bad?