Nothing to say, except idk of anyone noticed or caught the references, but I named all the chapters (excluding chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 7, and chapter 17) after a line in a song, and I tried to base the theme or 'mood' of the chapter on the song in which it was named after (Well, the main part of the chapter anyway. I know a lot of the chapters have a few different things going on, but it should be easy to tell what is the central point of the chapter). I'm sure I didn't do it perfectly for all the chapters, but I think I did okay. Anyway, on the last chapter, after the ending, I will post the list of songs for each chapter, in case anyone was interested(:
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Just how does that psycho Orochimaru expect us to get at that kid, huh? He's got a round-the-clock bodyguard! That hulking mass doesn't leave his side for an instant!" Orochimaru's "hired help", a beastly gangster named Yoroi shook his head in protest, adjusting his glasses. "I staked out there for three whole days, and I swear to you, that guy didn't let his guard down even for a moment!"
His partner in crime, a smaller but equally beastly and effective criminal named Zaku shrugged indifferently. "I doubt he knows how we have to do it, or he would have just done it himself." He clucked his tongue a few times, shuffling through the stacks of documents they had been given for this assignment.
"Cute kid." Yoroi mused, the 'brawn' of their operation, turning the pictures of their 'target' side to side, as if getting a better angle.
"If you like weird little girl-boys." Zaku said, cocking a brow. He took one of the pictures off the table, scrutinizing it. "Look at this. He's wearing a skirt here."
"It suits him." Yoroi shrugged again.
They both leaned back into their chairs, seeming to be giving a lot of thought into this. Orochimaru, after all, was a personal favorite client of their boss, who they would hate to disappoint. Zaku ran a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath. "Well, did you get any intel on the guard, at least?"
"Pictures." The larger man dug the prints out of his own stack of papers, handing them over. He felt goosebumps slide over his skin when Zaku's eyes widened in shock.
"M-Momochi?" He hissed, eyes narrowing on one of the pictures. He riffed through all the pictures, his mouth opening slightly. "Yoroi, you fool. Do you even know who that is?!"
"Enlighten me." He growled at the insult.
"Zabuza Momochi." He breathed the word out, and waited for a response. When the man did not reply, he slapped the table with his palm. "Zabuza The Demon!"
"Why do they call him that?" Yoroi scoffed. Zaku was so overdramatic, as always.
"Because when he's after you, you barely have to blink, and then you're dead." He said it loudly, eyes widening with each syllable, his face punching forward for dramatic effect.
"Oh, please. If they died right away, how would anyone know they barely had time to blink?" He inquired logically. "Sounds like an urban legend. He doesn't look so tough."
"I'm out." Zaku gave the man a grim smile, unceremoniously standing up, dropping his papers onto the table.
"Excuse me?" Yoroi asked, cocking a brow. "Is this your idea of a joke? Because it isn't very good. You know I detest when you get so engrossed in your melodrama."
"No joke, good buddy. And as your long-time friend, I'm gonna advise you follow my lead. Trust me."
Yoroi hesitated, but he felt all the warmth on his skin skitter away, leaving a frigid sensation. ". . . Don't fuck with me, Zaku."
"I don't kid. That is Gatou's number one man, and for a good reason. I worked with him once, when I did some independent stuff for Gatou."
"And!?" He asked, standing up as well, so they were face-to-face.
"I saw him get shot. Right in the fuckin' shoulder. Wham bam, thank you ma'am. And you know what he did then?" He whispered, leaning forward again. When Yoroi shook his head, the man continued. "He laughed. Not a chuckle, like a genuine har-de-har like someone just said something really funny. Then, no lie, he dug two of his fingers in the wound, and kind of. . . Wiggled the bullet out. It dropped right out onto the ground."
"Bullshit."
"None to speak of. I mean, it was a shallow wound, it hit in a good spot. But I tell you, he barely even flinched. And his fingers were like in there, man, like he was digging for gold. And I just kind of stood there watching him, and when I saw that bullet slide out and hit the ground, I thought I was just gonna puke right then and there."
Yoroi opened his mouth to say 'bullshit' again, but the look in his friend's eyes stopped him cold.
"It was like he was already dead. A ghost, just waiting to expire. . . And afterwards, I. . . I was freaked out to talk to him. But when I did, he was. . . Normal. He talked to me like anyone, told me I did a good job for a rookie." He shook his head again, shivering. "I said thanks a lot mister, because who the fuck wants someone like that on their bad side? But anyway, long story short-"
"As always, we are well past that point." Yoroi interrupted him crudely, but he had already heard enough.
"Long story short," Zaku repeated. "I'm out. If Orochimaru wants that little boy for a chew toy, he's going to be getting it from someone else. I'd rather go up against Satan himself." He affirmed.
Yoroi paused, his eyes slitting behind his dark glasses. "Well then, I guess that's that, eh?"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"What!?" Orochimaru snarled, barely able to contain his rage enough to keep from coming across the table at the corporation leader.
"I apologize." He repeated slowly, looking the long-haired man in the eyes. "But none of my employees will take this mission. Even my two favorites-"
"That's not my problem!" The snake growled, baring his teeth. "I've had you do many things for me, what is the issue now!?"
"None of them will go up against Momochi." He raised his hands, not wanting to invoke the man's anger any further. But it just simply could not be done.
Orochimaru closed his eyes softly, letting a shaky breath out, taking his seat again. When his eyes opened, they were dark with pure evil. "Damn him. Gatou's little do-boy."
The man shook his head. He had nothing good to say about Gatou. He was, after all, a competitor in their business, but even with the disdain he felt, he knew calling Zabuza Gatou's 'do-boy' was a ludicrous comparison. Like calling the Mona Lisa Van Gogh's little project.
Orochimaru rubbed his temples with two fingers softly. "I did not want to have to resort to this, but nothing will stop me from getting what I want. And what I want, is Haku Hoshigaki." He growled the name out lowly, the palms of his hands itching sinisterly. He had been watching, and waiting, for so long. The child he'd met so long ago had blossomed gracefully, as he had expected, into a petite and ideally well-formed teenager. With perfectly young and unspoiled beauty, topped off by an already submissive attitude. No, he thought assuredly, Haku wouldn't be one to be bold or defiant. But the thought of the refined beauty laying completely malleable and nonresistant in his bed made his tongue twitch in his mouth.
"What are you going to do?" The man interrupted him from his thoughts.
"You see, Gatou is all about money, as is the motivation of his employees. Money makes the world go round, of course. I will simply have to offer him more money than Haku's parents are paying him for the boy's protection."
"Seems simple enough." He agreed, nodding softly. "And then boy is open for your. . . Exploitation." He decided on the word, though admittedly he did find it a bit too civil for what he knew Orochimaru planned on using the small teenager for. "Although I must warn you. . . Gatou is not one to double-cross one of his own. He will not take your offer if he feels it upsets a certain. . . Balance."
The man's mouth opened in a wide grin, tongue flitting out sinisterly to lick his lips. "Everyone has a price."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Zabuza groaned, the sweetness of their moment shattered by the shrill ringing of his cellphone. He was still wrapped in Haku's lovely, lithe body, their lips still pressed together. This affectionate cuddling was something he wouldn't have dreamed of before meeting Haku, but it was. . . Nice, the older man decided. Haku laying limp and spent in his arms, his cocoa eyes once again giving the bodyguard an adoring and slavish look. All of his sexual encounters before had ended with him getting up quickly, cleaning himself off, and leaving. Sticking around after the fuck was done had always been a little awkward in his opinion, and anyway, he never promised anything to anyone before a good romp. So it wasn't like he was just taking off to avoid anything.
Taking Haku's virginity had been better than he had expected. . . That kind of sex was holy, he decided. Moving carefully so as not to disturb the boy's relaxed position, he gripped the phone off the table, opening it, and moving it to his ear.
"What?" He grunted, shifting when Haku planted a sweet kiss on his chest. He sighed resignedly. "Now? Are you shitting me, Gatou?" Haku tilted his head to the side, trying to hear the words of the other person on the line, but all he could hear were garbled noises. "Fine." Was his own reply as he snapped the phone closed, laying it on the bed beside them.
"Something wrong?" Haku asked, trying to sit up, but wincing when he found it a little too uncomfortable for his taste. Zabuza ran a large hand over his hair consolingly, frowning. The small teen smiled cheerfully. "It's fine." He promised. "Just sore, that's all."
"My boss needs to speak to me now. Right now." He said, rolling his eyes to the ceiling.
"Sure. I'll just get dressed." Haku said agreeably, slipping carefully off the bed, eyes widening when his legs hit the floor. "Oh." He breathed. "Wow. Very sore." He blushed lightly, looking back up at the man, who sighed. "I. . . I'll get used to it, right?"
"Eventually." Zabuza agreed, running a gentle hand down the boy's spine, fingers ghosting down to his rear. "I'll let you rest between now and next time. And take some ibuprofen before we leave."
Damn, He thought in irritation. I was still too rough on him. He sighed inwardly, willing himself that he would have to get used to the boy's discomfort, too. He was so big, and Haku was so small. . . As much as he loved the small stature and adorably unpretentious features, he knew there was bound to be pain some of the time. He could only hope that he never lost complete control during a passionate encounter and do something he couldn't fix or take back. Stop worrying about that, He chided himself. You have the control, you won't hurt him.
Haku nodded once, his sweet smile still firmly in place. A little pain was nothing compared the satisfied feeling he had. No wonder Deidara likes sex so much.
They got dressed rather quickly, Haku brushing through his tangled hair carefully, Zabuza travelling down to the kitchen for a few little pain pills and a glass of water for the boy. "You are the love of my life." Zabuza had whispered against his ear after handing him the water and medicine, making the boy flush with pure pleasure and joy. As they walked out the door, a bright yellow taxi cab pulled in, Deidara and Kisame piling out out of it, the blonde stretching, his arms high above his head.
Deidara seemed wrapped up in his own thoughts as he walked past them, barely acknowledging the two of them with more than a wave. But when their paths crossed, and the blonde's body was right beside theirs, he stiffened, his face whipping up to look at the pair of them intently.
Haku blushed crimson, knowing exactly what was coming. How does he know!? Haku's mind screamed, half in frustration, half in amazement. The brother's eyes locked with each other, the gleam of pure sapphire against deep, brown earth, neither looking away, while Zabuza watched Kisame throw some money at the cab driver, before walking their way. He nodded to both of them amicably before heading in, the door snapping shut behind him, clearly oblivious to the staring contest going on between his youngest siblings.
"Just shut it, Deidara." Haku hissed, glaring. Deidara smiled in pure satisfaction, leaning forward until their noses nearly touched, batting his lashes mockingly.
"Watch your tone, dear brother, un. After all, I'm just looking out for you." He leaned forward the last inch, laying an insulting peck to the brunette's cheek before sauntering off to the door. Haku huffed, wiping his cheek defiantly. He glanced over at Zabuza who had paled slightly, his eyes wide. Blonde Devil, the man thought gruffly. Before he had reached the last inch to the knob, he turned slightly, giving them both a pithy look.
"And, Haku, stop walking like that. You're making it so obvious even Kisa would notice." He laughed a little, shaking his head before sliding through the door, closing it with a soft click.
Haku layed his hand on his forehead, shaking his head. "What a jerk." He whispered apologetically. "Something sure has him in a mood." And hadn't he just gone on a date with Sasori? Something must have happened between them. . .
"Your brother is going to get us caught." Zabuza growled, jerking a shoulder once before snatching his car door open. Haku carefully sat in the passenger seat, buckling the belt over his chest.
"Don't worry, he just likes to mess with me. He's always been like that, ever since we were kids, especially if he's in a bad mood. He lashes out on anyone but he's not going to tell Kisa."
"How does he even know?"
"He figured it out. He's like a sex bloodhound." Haku answered weakly, chewing his lower lip nervously. "Well, you know. You saw him. His pupils nearly dilated when he walked by us."
Zabuza didn't answer, just grunted in response. "This shouldn't take long, the boss wouldn't call me for anything stupid."
"It's fine, Zabuza. You know I'm fine doing whatever, as long as I'm with you." He assured the man.
They didn't talk much on the way there, until Haku cleared his throat softly. "Zabuza, I don't want to say anything you won't like, but. . ."
"It's fine."
"Well, I was thinking. . . When I turn 18, and I get my money and my freedom. . . I. . . I was thinking about where we would live. I don't want to live in the manor." He said quickly, frowning. "And I know if I go, Kisa will go too. To be with his lover. And I just. . . I just want to live alone with you."
"Of course, Haku." Zabuza answered slowly, somewhat perplexed. "Did you think I didn't want to live with you?"
"Well, I didn't want to assume anything. I know you have your place, and. . ."
"My place." Zabuza scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I'm fine with going somewhere else. I would love to find a place we will love together." Haku beamed visibly at his words, resting his head on the window. "But, I'm not fine with living off your money."
"What?" Haku tilted his head. "But, Zabuza, that's silly. Do you even know how much I'm getting? It's not like I worked for any of it. Our mother and father gave it to us to appease their guilt for Kisa pretty much parenting us for them."
"It doesn't matter." The assassin said sharply. "I'm just not comfortable with you. . . Being the provider for us."
"What a macho attitude." Haku shook his head. "You provide everything for me. Can't you let me have this one thing? Or do you just want me as a trophy?" He asked quietly, eyes fixed to the floorboards.
"No!" Zabuza denied hotly. "Not a trophy. But. . . I want to provide a life for you, Haku. You're my everything. I want to make your life as wonderful as you will make mine, just by being my lover."
"Did it ever occur to you that you make me as happy as I make you?" The teen asked, his hand slowly inching forward to rub his guard's muscled forearm.
Zabuza hesitated, eyeing him with speculation. "I know I make you happy, Haku, but. . . You really don't understand how beautiful you are, do you?" When the boy didn't answer, he heaved a sigh and went on. "Haku, I'm a fuck-up. And as wonderful as you seem to think I am, that's not how it is. Not in this life. You're someone who men would kill to be with, even if you don't know it. You're the kind of person that makes people fall completely in love, with just a look or a word."
Haku shook his head slowly, eyes wide. "No, that's Deidara. I know I'm pretty, Zabuza, but. . . Not like Deidara or Sasuke. They're so. . . Stunning and special. And I'm attractive in. . . A plain way. In a not overly intimidating and easy to approach kind of way. I know that. It's fine, I'm fine with that." He said, wringing his hands together. "I don't need to be beautiful like them. You don't have to try to convince me."
Zabuza shook his head in amazement. "Deidara and Sasuke are attractive, both in very different ways and for different reasons. But you are just as attractive as them, anyone could tell you that. In fact, I'm sure if you asked either one of them, they could both tell you at least a trait or two that you have that they may be jealous of."
"Do you really think so?" Haku asked doubtfully. "I can't think of anything about me that they would possibly have to be jealous of."
"You are your own harshest critic." The older man answered quietly. "Trust me when I tell you that everyone else that looks at you, myself included, is in awe of your dazzling beauty."
"Thank you." Haku said after a minute of blushing. "I'm so glad you think that, Zabuza. I so want to be attractive for you."
"You're too attractive for me." He answered honestly. "When we move out, and our relationship is. . . Out in the open, you will be surprised at the reactions we get. People will wonder what you're doing with me, you know."
"Oh, I don't think that's true. You're so handsome and strong." The long-haired teen shook his head, smiling sweetly. "And anyway, I don't care what people think. You're everything I've ever wanted. You make me so happy and I feel like I couldn't live without you. Their opinions of what we have mean less than nothing to me."
And that, Zabuza decided, was the point. If they were happy together, what did it matter if other people thought he wasn't good enough for Haku?
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
After they parked in the parking lot and rode the elevator up to the top floor of the tall building in which Gatou's office was located, Zabuza started to direct Haku to sit in the waiting room like before.
"No, you better bring him in, too." Gatou said quietly and gruffly, appearing in the doorway. Haku looked more than a little frightened of this man, so taking pity on the young boy, Zabuza squeezed his shoulder encouragingly, and led him into the large office.
They both sat in large mahogany chairs and waited for Gatou to sit across from them at the huge desk. He's overcompensating for his tiny size with all this huge stuff. . . Haku realized, barely able to keep from wrinkling his nose in disdain. He didn't like pretense, or facades, and that's exactly what this man's attitude was.
"It's nice to meet you, Haku. I'm Gatou, Zabuza's boss. I'm sure you've heard all about me."
"Not really." Haku said flatly. He purposely avoided looking the man in the eye. He wasn't sure why, but this man rubbed him completely the wrong way.
"Are you finding his services to you. . . Satisfactory?" Gatou asked, finally catching his eyesight, staring at him intensely.
"His service is to my parents, not me. But to answer your question more directly, I am enjoying his company and he is an excellent escort." He wasn't sure why he was being so rude, but he couldn't find his usual sweet demeanor inside himself at this point in time. Zabuza looked surprised, but didn't comment on the boy's attitude.
"Good enough. Just curious on how my employee is doing. After all, the Hoshigaki family is one of my most valued clients."
Haku didn't reply, just fixed his eyes on the desk insolently. Zabuza tapped the desk with his fist.
"Cut the chatter, Gatou! What the Hell did you want? As you can see, everything is fine. You don't need to check up on me."
"I'm not checking up on you, Momochi, stop sulking like a little bitch." The boss replied in a friendly tone, waving his hand dismissively. Haku frowned obviously at the language but remained silent. "I actually came to warn you."
"Warn me?" Zabuza asked, mystified.
"I actually just got out of a meeting with a potential client. I called you as soon as he left." He answered, shuffling through some papers, a grim look on his hoggish face. "His name was Orochimaru and he was interested in some business with me."
Zabuza didn't hear anything after that, his attention fixed solely on his young lover, whose creamy skin had paled to the color of paper at the name. His breath hitched in his throat, his heart speeding up to the point that he could not distinguish the seperate thuds. Why am I so afraid? Haku thought dimly, but it didn't matter. No matter what the reason, the boy's body temperature had plunged, leaving his skin ice cold.
"Haku, what's the matter?" Zabuza snapped sharply, his hand flying up to the boy's shoulders swiftly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry, Zabuza." The boy breathed out. "I. . . Where have I heard that name before? I. . . " He couldn't finish, his breath being expelled in shallow gasps, his delicate hand lightly clutching his chest and throat.
"Water." Zabuza snarled at one of the goons guarding the door to Gatou's office. The employee knew better than to argue, bounding out of the room to fetch a glass of water for the boy. Orochimaru. . . The brown-haired man remembered where the name had come from perfectly, and remembered Emily's story perfectly. It couldn't really be the same person, could it?
Zabuza stood sharply, snatching the glass of chilled water away when it was brought to him, and held Haku gently with one arm, tipping the boy's head back, bringing the cup to his lips. "It's okay, baby, calm down. You're so pale." He murmured, completely forgetting where they were, who they were in front of, anything. His concern for his young lover overshadowed everything in spades.
Baby? Gatou thought incredulously, but withheld his comment. As long as the mission was carried out, his client was satisfied, and he recieved payment for it, he couldn't care less who Zabuza fucked. Or loved, the stubby man thought in surprise. He was no idiot. The tender way the assassin's hands handled the slender boy was no indication of a quick fuck or fling. And the total fear in the man's obsidian eyes expressed emotions that Gatou had never known the man to feel before. . .
Haku sipped the water obediently, leaning his head back accomodatingly. When he had drank half of it, Zabuza pulled it away, setting the glass on the desk. "I'm sorry." The teen repeated, embarrassed. "I don't know what's wrong with me, I just. . . I feel like I'm having a panic attack or something."
"You don't have to apologize." The older man muttered soothingly, stroking a calloused hand over silky smooth hair, letting it fall through his fingers. He let out a sigh of relief. Haku's color was beginning to come back, albeit slowly, and his breathing was still unsteady, but it was starting to even out.
"Zabuza, I know you know something. The way you're acting, the way you're looking at me. Tell me." He demanded softly but firmly. Zabuza nodded, resigned. He would never keep anything from the boy ever again.
"Your mother told me about what had happened to you when you were a kid. She says you don't remember." Haku shook his head slowly, trying to absorb the information.
"Zabuza, it's the same person." Gatou, who had been informed of the incident with Orochimaru by Emily Hoshigaki, but had deemed it irrelevant to tell Zabuza. Now, though, that he had sat across the table from the dangerous long-haired man, he regretted this decision. "Orochimaru tried to pay me for you to stop protecting Haku. He wanted me to decline this job to the Hoshigaki's."
"What?" Zabuza snarled, his hands tightening on the boy's arms protectively. Haku winced at the pain, but kept silent. His mind was racing. What were they talking about? Why was he so suddenly cold?
"I refused, of course." Gatou sniffed haughtily. "No matter the sum, the loyalty of the Hoshigaki family is priceless. And while he was vague about his reasons for wanting Haku unprotected, it's pretty damn obvious why. He was more than pissed when I denied his offer."
And the world exploded; The glass of the front wall shattered, sending shards flying toward them like tiny missiles, the nearly deafening, drowning out Haku's scream. The small boy flew forward out of his upended chair, falling against the edge of the desk, a pain shooting through his stomach at the wood slamming against him. He heard a noise like a cannon pressed against his ear, and felt Zabuza's hands leave his body rather abruptly.
He watched in complete shock as the older man's body was ripped from with the force so strong, he couldn't imagine what it was. The man's large body seemed to tumble up onto the huge, flat surface of the desk, rolling across it, and slipping off the other side, bright red blood flowing unabashedly from his right shoulder-blade, leaving a shimmering trail.
"Zabuza!" Haku screamed, scrambling up onto the desk, his knees sliding in the thick, viscuous liquid. It's warm, Haku thought incoherently, one of those very observant thoughts you have only when you are truly afraid. His eyes widened, and his body jerked as he felt someone lift him off the desk, away from Zabuza's blood, away from the man period. In his panic, he barely felt the tiny prick of a syringe in his arm.
He shrieked again, struggling in complete vain. Whoever was holding him was strong, terrifyingly so.
"You double-crossed me, you snake bastard!" Gatou snarled. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion to Haku, as if they were in some underwater cavern. He watched the hoggish man pull a gun out a drawer with surprising quickness and aim it at them. He watched the man hesitate for a fraction of a second, not wanting to shoot the pretty brunette, but that was all it took.
There were two masked men besides the man that was holding him with such horrifying tightness that he felt as though he were being crushed. He could feel a firm, tough man's body behind him, pressing against his back and legs, the arms holding him in place so he could barely move a muscle. One of the masked men brought a blunt club down on Gatou's head, knocking him out cold, his body falling to the floor like a ragdoll.
He heard Zabuza bellow, a scream of frustrated petulant rage as his good arm lifted him with great effort above the desk. His face appeared, teeth bared like a lion, chest heaving with the effort of breathing.
He's bleeding so much someone please help him he's going to die I don't know what I will do if Zabuza dies then again maybe I will die too and it will be okay but if not please God or whoever it is that watches over things please let Zabuza be okay, Haku's thoughts ran together in one fluid sentence as terror washed over him, leaving him limp, as if his life energy had been dissipated in one clawing stroke.
The other masked man fired a gun again, the bullet once again ripping through Zabuza's body, this time through his thigh, his face and body falling down below Haku's view again.
Even in his state of absolute agony, Zabuza was quite aware that these were not killing shots, were not meant to be. He wants me to live, the assassin realized with a kind of helpless rage. He wants me to live with the fact that I lost. That I lost Haku.
And with that thought, no matter how much his mind willed him to stay awake and conscious, a body could only take so much. His mind drifted into nothingness, while his body faced death for the second time in his life.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Haku awoke what seemed like only minutes later, but had actually been hours, in a soft bed, with a thick quilt comforter over his shivering body. He moaned a little, still groggy with the drug coursing through him, rubbing his face against the pillow.
His skin was. . . Clean, he realized with confusion. There had been blood, and sweat, and. . . He couldn't finish the thought as his heart throbbed, remembering what the blood had been from; his beloved Zabuza's body. His hair was no longer matted and tangled, but damp and fresh, with the scent of an unfamiliar shampoo lingering in it, his skin the same. He tried to sit up, but quickly faltered, his arms lacking the strength to support him yet.
"I had one of my men give you a bath, and put you to bed." A voice that sent shivers down his spine informed him helpfully. Haku's face whipped to the side, staring at the figure standing at the foot of the bed he was laying in, his mouth quivering. "Don't worry." Orochimaru smirked a little at the boy's obvious fear. "He didn't take advantage of your unconscious state in that way. I would castrate anyone who tried to touch what is mine."
"I'm. . . Yours?" Haku stuttered out, not having wanted to say the words out loud, but they had slipped out without his control.
"Undisputedly mine." Orochimaru whispered affectionately, his hand reaching out to fondle a thick strand of jet-black hair, toying with it, before ghosting his fingertips over the teenager's full lips. "Don't fret, pretty young thing, I don't intend to rape you. You will learn to love what I do for you, as they do."
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Review! I feel like with this chapter, I'm starting to get a little of my old rhythm back(: