Chapter 9: Awkward
"Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves."
- Drew Barrymore
"He mocked me. Mocked me." Sasuke said, retelling his tale of the day's earlier events to his favorite cousin.
Prince Sasuke and Prince Neji were walking down the palace's corridors after dinner with their parents. They were about to arrive to the latter's private chambers since it was closer. Neji chuckled before asking what Sasuke did next.
Sasuke shrugged before stating, "I kissed him."
"Kissed him?" Neji a bit surprised, but amused nonetheless.
"The boldness was attractive." Sasuke said back with another shrug.
"Bullshit. It aroused you, pervert." Neji said, before they arrived at his chambers.
"Hn." Sasuke replied back, intent on just walking away without a real response, before remembering his task.
"Oh Neji. Naruto wanted me to give this to you." Retrieving a letter from a pocket.
"It's from his brother, Lordette Gaara." Sasuke said before handing the parchment to the pale eyed man, and walking the rest of the way to his own chambers.
Closing the door behind him, Zabuza inhaled deeply at the richness of the smell of what Haku had cooked for their dinner. Haku had a habit of cooking a private meal once or twice a week in the effort for some quality alone time for just the two of them. It also indicated that Haku would be quite friendly once they retired for bed.
"Zabuza! How was it? Did Naruto make it to the prince on time? How was your journey? You remembered to feed Kyuubi and let him rest? Are you hungry? I made-" Haku was cut off by Zabuza clamping his hand over his lover's mouth, effectively ceasing the beautiful man's
Dropped off the child to the prince, went to town, where the horse rested as I browsed the market and went back to get Naruto at sun down. Everything was fine." Zabuza said, answering the important questions.
"What were you doing in the market? I do not think the baroness is paying us this week, so we have to save the few ryo we have." Haku said with the worry evident in his voice.
"I went to give Naruto and that evil little prince privacy. And the prince gave me ryo to keep their little meeting private, as if everyone I knew did not already know, so I bought you this." Zabuza said, presenting an ornate pair of hair needles to his beloved.
Haku gasped as he took the items.
"Zabu...this had to cost too much. I cannot accept them. Were low on food and other supplies. I can't let you spoil me." He said, trying to give them back, but Zabuza would not take them back.
"No Haku. You deserve them, and you will be even more beautiful with them in your hair." Zabuza said, while releasing Haku's long hair from its ponytail.
Zabuza then proceeded to take the hair wrap, and did his best at bun, missing quite a few strands, and then placed the hair needles in Haku's hair in the traditional crossed manor.
"Besides, think of them as an anniversary present. Its been 10 years since we've been here and I can count on my hands the amount of times that I've had the opportunity to spoil you. Do not worry about the cost...I still have a week's pay left from the prince and we should be fine if Baroness Anko pays us again within the month." Zabuza explained.
Finding employment and housing in the rural area of Konoha was difficult. In the beginning of their search for a stable income when they first arrived 10 years ago, Haku and Zabuza had difficulty since Haku looked like an un-wedded woman following around a low class man. What was worse was that Haku was merely 13 and Zabuza five years his senior. No noble in their right mind would have what they viewed as an inappropriate couple working for them and living in their manors and estates.
Zabuza often tried to explain that Haku was a boy, but since puberty had not settled in and Haku's strong female looks made people think he was lying.
No one could trust a liar in their home.
Then Zabuza did indeed start lying, saying that Haku was his brother or sister depending on the situation. No one believed him.
Haku was so beautiful.
Zabuza was so...frightful.
No one believed their sibling tale.
It was after a week of searching that they decided to move on to another town, hoping that what little remained of their funds would last through their travels. On the morning of their departure, Haku set out into the forest to pick some fresh fruit for the first few days of their impending journey, when he discovered Naruto.
The little boy looked barely five years old and was playing with the most beautiful horse he ever did see. The horse was a fiery red with a mane to match. The horse also had a a very peculiar trait; it had nine tails that were clearly visible when it got too excited playing with the child, but the hairs on the tails covered that fact when it did the ordinary habits of a horse, like galloping and and eating.
The blond boy turned around when the horse started neighing in Haku's direction, and then Haku saw the little boy was a bi-male, as he noticed the glee in the child's bright blue eyes. Haku was ill-prepared when the child ran up to him and stated that he was 6 years of age, that he was lost and that his father told him when in doubt, ask a lady and she would help aid you towards the path home.
Instantly charmed by the young child, Haku explained that he was a boy and though not a lady, he would still help him. After Naruto described his manor, Haku remembered seeing a home just like the one described and headed back the way he came.
Naruto was a very talkative and inquisitive child, asking Haku about why he looked like a girl and why he was traveling, and Haku would entertain every question. There was never a quiet moment on their walk.
Once they arrived at the manor doors, they were greeted with an extremely worried Iruka and a worried blond father. After Naruto explained how Haku had helped him, how Haku was the prettiest boy in the world and how Haku was looking for a place to work and live with his friend, Naruto's father offered Haku and his companion a job since he was recently married and needed extra household help for the three woman and bi child that were to arrive in a week and a field hand for the farm and stables. Grateful, Haku immediately left to retrieve Zabuza from the inn they were staying at to inform him of the good news.
Zabuza faced Haku towards a mirror so that the younger could see exactly how good he looked with the silver hair needles, and frowned when Haku started laughing.
"Whats so funny?" he growled.
"You, my dear lover, make a poor hair stylist." Haku said, shaking his head, effectively making the bun and needles fall.
Zabuza grunted before going back to the table to wait for his supper.
"Stupid hair...my bun was perfect until he moved his head." a slightly simmering Zabuza mentally complained.
Your highness,
I write, hoping this letter reaches you well, with the sincerest truth written amongst this ink covered parchment. As I write, I feel like a fool...writing this sentimental declaration of what I treasure most, which pitifully is my feelings. I am writing to you so that my written words can tell you honestly what my mouth could not.
That night we spent together was like a dream. I had never felt that wanted by another person in my life. To be pleasured so...to be held...to feel as though nothing in the world could tear us apart in the ambiance of that virgin voyage to euphoria. You have made me feel like none before. You have made me feel loved...
However, my prince...no...never MY prince. It could never be so, since I am unworthy of more than just that night we spent together...
Prince Hyuuga, if I, but a servant to the crown, could ask but a favor. Just a moment of your time alone, would be the world to me. A moment to satisfy my emotional urge for you, which in itself is mad.
I travel to the Sand Village with my brother once a month for the monks' vast library. We travel by horse, and usually spend an entire day traveling and visiting. We will leave this Sunday at dawn from the west gate, right before you would arrive at Hokage Mountain. I would appreciate it if you would accompany us, if you would like, your highness.
-A humble Servant,
Gaara
I always envisioned Gaara as an awkward person when it came to matters of the heart, so I hope his confession was sweet, earnest, and kinda awkward. Haha.
(Oh! Did you see that Drew Barrymore snippet? I couldn't resist.)
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