Well, I'm back with rather impressive chapter. Forgive any mistakes, it's past midnight here, I'm typing for hours and I just want to go to sleep! Enjoy~ Oh, and I hope you like my OC, he is very important.
Chapter 9
Decisions and consequences
A shake. Such a simple gesture shattered his whole world. His vision got blank and the breath left his lungs. He felt like someone had punched him in the stomach, hard. He had expected that answer, he wasn't stupid nor was he blind but to actually hear it or rather see it in his case... it was too much. He nodded and whispered, „I see, I'm sorry for bringing that up." Then the man got on his feets and moved toward the door, trying not to look at the raven and not to fall because his legs suddenly felt like jelly. Just a moment before he had disappeared he stopped and half turned his head in Haku's direction, watching him with his peripheral vision. „I'll call you mother but she probably won't make it today. I hope you don't mind staying here one night. I'll also send Sakura, you must be hungry" he said and left.
The boy sighed and sank in the pillows. His heart was ricing and he was still trembling from before. When he woke up he honestly thought that his master was going to hurt him. He had hit him for nothing and the boy didn't want to think what he would do if he really did something wrong. And not obeying Zabuza's wishes, acting without a permission, making his master look after him when he had been unconscious and then disobeying another rule- letting him see his face were really bad things. But instead of hurting him he told him such beautiful things. And he believed him, for a second.
Then he realized it wasn't love, it was just guilt mixed with fear that his toy was going to die. And when his master ordered him to answer him, he did it instantly, without thinking. Seconds later he knew he shouldn't have done that, no matter Zabuza's true feelings he had to take advantage. He could be happy, if only for a little, even if when his master turned back to his usual self it would hurt twice as much. But it was too late, the man had left without a second glance and he wasn't allowed to follow him. So the only thing that was left was to hope Zabuza would offer it again. Of course he knew the man was too proud to do it again after being rejected, but there was still hope in his heart.
There was a knock on the door and Haku turned his attention toward the pink- haired girl who was just entering. She was holding a tray of food and when the boy saw it his stomach rumbled. Sakura heard it and grinned, „Wow, I saw you hungry. Now I can die happy." The raven took the food with a blush and started eating, while the girl sat on the chair near the bed.
„I'm so glad you are alright. We were all worried about you the whole time. Lord Momochi didn't let anyone near your room. We weren't even allowed to cook for you. There were even rumors that boss has been cooking for you. Can you believe it?" the girl exclaimed, making Haku lift his head and look at her with interest. Sakura grinned when she realized she had caught the boy's attention and continued, „ And you won't guess what. He even threatened to kill us if he sees us in the corridor where your room was situated. The whole part of the house has been unused for years but still! He said it so seriously that for a second I thought he is capable of doing something like that. And also... „ the girl continued with her blabbing but Haku didn't hear anything from what she said.
Of course, she was a great friend of him but there were more important things on his mind. Like, for example, if no one had access to his room how he got presents once in a while. They were simple- freshly gathered flowers or home-baked sweets but still warmed him. Could his master be behind these? Maybe he had been serious about his feelings and they hadn't just appeared when he had seen the results of his action! Or maybe... or maybe Shikamaru had given them to him. He was a little bit lazy, but very clever. Yeah, that sounded more realistic.. and more hurting.
Suddenly, his appetite was gone and he pushed the food. Sakura saw that and her eyes filled with worry and sadness which she quickly hid behind a smile."So I guess you are sated. Well, I'll leave you now. Get better soon Haku." She took the food and left the room but not before she had winked at the boy. Now alone the raven sighed and rolled to his side, facing his master's part of the bed. It was perfect, the covers without a crease, the pillow looking like no one had used it for a few days. So Zabuza had left him use his bed while he slept somewhere else, even after, according to Naruto's words, he couldn't sleep anywhere except his bed. Maybe it wasn't only guilt after all. The boy yawned and closed his eyes for what he told himself was just a quick nap.
The next thing he knew someone was shaking him. He opened his eyes and his heart made a happy jump. Before him was his mother, who he had thought he would never see again. The boy threw his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. And for his surprise the women hugged him back. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes until Haku's mother didn't let him go and kissed his forehead „My boy," she whispered, tears shining in her eyes. „I heard you want to come home with me," smiled the women, making Haku's stomach roll up. What? He was going to leave? But he didn't want to! No one said anything about leaving! So Zabuza didn't want him after all, so it had been just a joke. But... no, the man had said it like he at least believed himself. Perhaps his master thought that he will be better with his mother instead of him. His master thinking about his happiness... the thought somehow warmed him.
„Are you sure about that?" asked his mother and she looked her in the eye. She looked like she knew something he didn't. Haku dropped his eyes and shook his head. He didn't want to see her reaction, but when the silence stretched for too long he looked up carefully. The women was smiling and he tilted his head confusedly. When she saw it, her smile grew bigger and warmer. „You don't have to come with me. I know what you think. That Zabuza doesn't love you, he just feels guilty. I'm not sure if he loves you, but I'm certain that he cares about you. And you.. you don't want to come with me, I can see it in your eyes. So don't give up, son. Make him fall for you!"
Haku smiled at what his mother said. Usually she was so stoic and cold and to hear her say something like that- it was both surprising and sweet to know that she loved him enough to show him a side of her that so few people knew. He was about to nod when the door opened and brought both their attention. There was standing Zabuza, a little bit flushed and looking like someone had forced him to be there. He crossed the room within a minute, stopping by the bed, all the while refusing to meet Haku's nor his mother's gaze. Then he took a deep breath and looked up. Shock went through the boy's body when his eyes met the older man's ones. There was no emotion in them, his master had hid everything.
„I need to go to work so I thought it would be good to come and say goodbye," meaning: "I won't stand to see you go so it would be better if I'm not there". The boy nodded not getting the hidden message and moved his hands in his lap, still not able to bring himself to ask to stay with his master. The older man took his slender hand and kissed it, „Again I'm sorry for what I did to you. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me. And.. and if you change your mind please let me know. You are always welcomed here." he squeezed the hand lightly simple out of habit.
Zabuza tried to slip out but Haku was holding him tightly. The raven squeezed him back and Zabuza brought his eyes to his face. What he saw there made hope fill his heart- the boy was smiling. Slightly, yes, but still smiling. And if the raven had looked gorgeous before, now he couldn't just find a word to describe him. Then Haku nodded, nearly making his heart stop and his legs to give out. He stared with amazement, trying to decide whether it was just a dream, bad joke of his imagination, until a cough brought him to reality. He turned around and saw the boy's mother smiling.
„I believe that means I'm not needed anymore." She tried to leave but Zabuza stopped her
„No, please, stay here. I'm sure you have many things to say to one another. And besides I really have to go to work," he smiled sheepishly, something that was really weird seen on his face but made him look so much younger and more handsome. He leaned down to kiss the boy's hand again and whispered, „I'll be back. And thank you. I won't disappoint you again." With that he left the room, a big smile on his face.
A month after that Haku was still in the bed. He was currently playing cards with Sakura but his mind was elsewhere. He looked through the window- it was a sunny day, quite uncommon for the season, and he was dying to leave the house, or at least the bed! But he knew he wasn't allowed to. Zabuza had asked him to rest. It was strange, how he had asked and not ordered. He had kept his promise that whole month. He had smiled to the boy like he really meant it, he had talked to him with gentle voice and had spent all his free time with him.
They didn't do much when they were together. Usually they would stay in a comforting silence, Haku curled on the bed and Zabuza on the chair next to it. Sometimes the man brought him books, the same ones the boy used to read when he was in his old room. The first time it surprised him, he thought the man didn't know about them but after a while embraced the idea that maybe... just maybe Zabuza had known and hadn't mind, something that proved another theory- the insane theory that his master actually loved him. But then again it was too good to be true.
Even his life was like a dream. The boy sometimes didn't want to go to bed from fear that he was going to wake up in his dark empty room. Then he would stay awake, just rolling on the bed until the tiredness took over him and he fell into a dream, very similar to his current life. And a few hours after that Zabuza would come to his room, out of habbit, and would smile to the beautiful boy. He would kiss his forehead and stoke his cheek. Then he would whisper, 'I'm sorry,' again and again while tears run down his sides. But the boy didn't know that and he kept fearing that someday his master would drop the kindness and act like nothing had happened.
But back to the current situation. As it was said before Haku was in the bed and was playing poker with Sakura. He sent her a deathly glare when she won with a full house for a forth time in a row. She smiled and stuck her tongue. In that moment the door opened and Zabuza came inside. His eyes instantly fell on Haku and the boy shivered. Even after a month he couldn't get used to his master's dark eyes. The man didn't seem to notice and if he did he didn't show it. Instead, he shook his head when he saw what they were doing. „Tsk, tsk. Sakura. Corrupting Haku again, aren't you?" he asked with amusement and sat on the chair.
„I don't think a simple game of poker can corrupt him, sir," the girl smirked but put the cards down. If before a month someone had told her that she would be joking with Lord Momochi, while playing poker with Haku on a bed she would have laughed and said that something like that is insane. But a lot have happened for that month. Everyone could notice how Zabuza had changed- he was almost glowing these days and he had become even more charming with the permanent smile on his lips and without the sad glint in his eyes. Yes, even the servants were able to see it, even though the man hid it carefully, sometimes it just slept away.
„Well, I have work to do. Goodbye," she smiled and then turned to Haku. The girl mouthed, „Have fun," and winked but not before she had made sure Lord Momochi wasn't looking. The boy blushed and her smile grew bigger. She jumped out of the bed and got out of the room as fast as she could.
Now alone, Haku and Zabuza fell into a comfortable silence. Suddenly, the older man felt a tug on his sleeve and he looked at the raven. The boy was holding the cards in one hand and the other was on his arm. He was looking at him with big puppy eyes and was offering him the pack. The man took it and started dealing out but Haku tugged on his sleeve again. Now confused for what the boy wanted Zabuza looked up, only to see the boy patting the seat next to himself. His heart skipped a beat and he gaped like a fish. Haku pulled again and he forced himself to move.
He got on the bed, sat face to face with the boy and crossed his legs. After a moment of uncertainty Haku did the same and moved even closer to him. They started the game of poker but Zabuza's mind wasn't really on it. He hadn't been so close to the boy for a month and everything- the familiar smell of charry blossom, the electricity that rushed through his body every time their knees touched when any of them moved and the little blush on the raven's cheeks were driving him insane. And the boy's cute pouting every time he lost wasn't helping at all. He needed to get out of here or he was going to ruin the little he had managed. His gaze fell on the window. It was a really sunny day. He looked at the boy and then back to the window and an idea popped in his mind.
„Hey, Haku, it's a beautiful day," he said and the boy lifted his head. In his eyes he could see surprise and sadness. He hurried to add before Haku thought he was teasing him, „Do you want to go outside? Near the house there is a forest and in it there is a wonderful stream. We can have picnic if you want." The boy looked surprised, then amazed and then his eyes lit with happiness. He nodded energetically and the man smiled. „Okay, then I'll go take what we need and you get dressed. And don't forget your jacke.t" Haku nodded again and Zabuza got out of the bed and hurried toward the kitchen.
Twenty minutes after that he was holding a basket full with sandwiches(made by him, but no one needed to know that), pastry, he had found out that Haku had a sweet tooth, orange juice and water, and a big blanket. He knocked on the door to show the boy that he was ready and leaned on the wall. A few minutes later Haku came out. His hair was in a ponytail and it opened his face, Zabuza decided."You should keep it like that, it's really beautiful," the older man blurted out without thinking. The raven blushed and nodded, thanking him. Just then he realized that the boy never once did utter a word in front of him. He knew he should be grateful that Haku was even by his side but he couldn't help himself but say
„I thought it's obvious but you know that the rules I made up are.. I mean you should forget about them, you know." he stuttered and blushed. Haku nodded and smiled lightly. 'So he just couldn't bring himself to speak in front of me?' asked himself the older man and his stomach clutched painfully. „Well, let's go then," he whispered and the boy jumped. They started walking. The raven looked like a kid, going ahead of him, only to come back when he was far, to tug Zabuza's sleeve and then to go forward again. When that happened for the 10th time the man stopped him and smiled. „The forest won't run away, you know. Calm down a little." Haku nodded and took a deep breath „Good boy."
„I'm glad you get along with each other" they both heard a deep voice from behind and turned around. Before them was a tall, but not as tall as Zabuza, well-build man in a suit. His hair was black, with just a few white locks, short and wavy and his eyes- dark blue and hidden behind glasses. Only the wrinkles around his eyes gave out his age, but despite that he was quite handsome.
Zabuza smiled awkwardly. "Nice to see you, John." He said like it wasn't that good they met
„Are you still mad about our last conversation?" the stranger asked incredulously but the other man sent him a dirty look and he immediately shut up. His gaze fell on Haku who was staring at him with uncertainty „And who is that beautiful boy?"
„John that's my husband Haku, Haku that is Johnatan, my butler. Now when you know each other we will go" he said and started walking away, the raven following him after another glance.
„We must talk," said the man, his voice serious and steady, it was obvious it was going to be important.
„Later," Zabuza answered without turning around. He and Haku continued walking in silence until the younger male finally plucked up his courage and tugged on his sleeve. When the older man looked down the short boy sent him a sad look. „Don't worry. He can wait. And besides I promised you that we will go outside now, didn't I" Zabuza smiled and patted his head.
When they went outside the boy froze. The landscape was so beautiful. It was the middle of autumn and most of the leaves were already on the ground, making it look like a colourful carpet. The almost empty twigs brushed against each other because of the breeze. The few birds that had stayed behind warbled happily. Haku's eyes widened and he drank in the sign before him. Zabuza watched him closely, how his mouth opened and closed in awe, how his eyes were looking like they were going to pop out. The boy was so cute! After a few minutes he shook him lightly
„The stream is that way," he said, pointing in the opposite direction. The boy nodded and started walking behind him, trying to compose himself but failing miserably. He had never seen so many colours, it was magnificent! Even the ordinary path they were walking on seemed wonderful to him. Suddenly, his master stopped and he crashed against his back. Zabuza turned around when he felt it, but instead of catching Haku the boy caught him and dragged him down. A second later they hit the ground, the older man on top of the raven, his lower parts between his legs. Both were breathing hard and Haku was still clutching on Zabuza's jacket.
The older male moved a little, trying to get himself more comfortable only to realize where he was and what was doing to his lower parts the position. He jumped on his feet and helped the boy to stand. Then he hurried toward the field, they had reached, and stretched the blanket, all the while trying to hide the growing bulge in his pants. Fortunately for him, the raven didn't even follow him. He just sent a glance in his direction, just to know where he was and starter running wild around the trees like a kid on a Christmas eve. He jumped and played with the twigs, and Zabuza watched him with awe.
That continued for a full hour until the boy suddenly stopped and turned toward him. After a second of hesitation he ran toward his master and tugged at his sleeve. The man got on his feet, still confused, and waited for what was next. But the raven just sent him a playful look and started walking away with a fast step. It took only a moment for Zabuza to realize what the boy wanted and when he did he ran after him. But Haku was younger and full of energy and the older man not once did manage to catch him. When he reached his limit he collapsed on the blanket, arms and legs outstretched. Haku sat beside him and started taking out the food and the drinks. When he saw the sweets his eyes lit up even more, if that was possible. Zabuza glanced toward him and said in a tired voice,"You sure act like you've never gone outside."
Haku tensed and looked up from his sandwich, eyes wide and shocked. The older man realized his mistake and apologized hurriedly, „I'm sorry I didn't think. Please don't be mad! I never meant to hurt you." Haku's eyes softened and he nodded smiling. He continued eating his sandwich. Zabuza reached for a one too and was just about to take a bite of it when he heard the most beautiful sound- Haku's voice and his food just slipped of his mouth. Even thought it was quiet, sodden in sorrow and husky for not being used for so long it was more wonderful than a bird's song
"It's not so bad. Just my body is weak. My mother gave birth to me like that. I don't say it's pleasant- after all I spent my whole childhood in the house because mum was afraid to let me go out and every time I caught a cold she acted like I wouldn't survive it, and not to forget that nasty cough every time I'm stressed, but except that I'm quite normal," the boy tried to smile but his eyes were shining with tears. Zabuza brought his hand over his face and caressed his cheek. The boy relaxed and snuggled in the palm, sighing. The stayed like that for what felt like just a second for Zabuza before the boy didn't move away and started nibbling at his sandwich. The older man picked his own food from the blanket but he suddenly had lost his appetite. He was so happy. The boy had started opening up, it was like a dream. He knew it would take a while but he was going to win the raven's love. Definitely!
Later that night Zabuza found himself in front of John's room. He took a deep breath and knocked. Seconds later the older man opened the door. His feature softened when he saw him and his eyes, now even more fascinating without the glasses, lit in happiness.
„Where is Haku?" he asked, looking around
„He is asleep."
„Well then do you want to come in?" Zabuza nodded and slipped in the room. John locked the door after him and turned around. The man in front of him was looking at his feet and he suddenly felt the urge to hug him.
„Why didn't you come home sooner?" Zabuza mumbled, still not looking up
„I came as soon as I could," retorted the older man in tired voice.
Zabuza sighed. „I know... I.. I missed you," he said and finally looked up. His eyes were full with sadness and the older man couldn't help himself but hug him. And Zabuza, not to his surprise, hugged him back. It was quite awkward, how the taller man clung on him like a child
„I'm sorry. There was so much work in America after your father's.., Anyway I missed you, too" smiled John and got on his tiptoes to kiss his forehead. Then he let go of Zabuza and went to his bed. He sat on it and patted the seat next to himself „Are you coming?"