Chapter 25: A Loyal Promise

Sakura once again resumed humming quiet and low as together they traveled through Rain Country. She could hear Zabuza come to a stop and opened her eyes carefully. Zabuza looked down at her before he moved a branch and exposed a beautiful oasis in the rain. Two men could be seen down at the bottom of the gorge and Zabuza chose to ignore their presence so long as they did the same.

Together the two descended gracefully to land atop the water below where they moved to a final spot Zabuza intended to bring her here for training but, with the delays it would be best to wait for the morning for that particular session. Instead he moved to begin setting up a rain-proofed tarp among the branches and create a safe haven to where they would stay Sakura smiled and moved to place her hands on the earth and gently raised a small rock wall to block the water from the ground where their sleeping gear would like to give it a chance to dry.

Behind the two approached the two men who they'd seen as they entered the gorge. One with silver hair and magenta eyes, the other tan with acid green eyes and a mask over his face. Both approached, and Sakura continued setting up camp leaving her trust in Zabuza to deal with the two.

The swordsman nodded to the two missing nin listed high in the bingo books and asked, "What do ya want?" Hidan shrugged and glanced over pinky curious about a little brat with 3 swords strapped to her. Kakuzu simply said, "What brought you out here?" Zabuza gestured for the 2 men to follow him and leave his charge in peace.

"I'm here to show her some of the large water jutsu. She has a specialy of earth and water in equal measure and her backyard wasn't ideal. Otherwise, well that's between her and me." Zabuza stated firm. Kakuzu spoke with clarity, "She is the head of the Haruno clan. Word is her aunt is trying to take power from her over in Grass…the kage knows nothing of this. She had inside help from a Leaf village punk apparently."

Zabuza nodded, "They already know, Danzo was the filthy rot that did the deed. She will be going to call a clan meeting only in a matter of time to deal with it I'm sure. She also will be preventing a war from happening between Grass and Leaf again for now."

The older nin nodded, "I will report that to the concerned parties. She seems to be advancing well for her age…not something I see in kids anymore to be honest." Zabuza chuckled, "She's a spitfire who won't take shit from anyone. You guys should head out we rest tonight and tomorrow after training head out to get her back home."

Kakuzu accepted the information and left with Hidan following after him. Zabuza cracked his neck and turned to head back to camp to see that she had finished even setting up his equipment and quirked an eyebrow at her. She smirked, "I asked Haku before we left how you do it, never know what would have happened on the road."

Zabuza ruffled her hair and sat on the futon she'd laid out for him. He watched her prep a small fire free meal for the two of them with supplies she must have grabbed. Her hands meticulous as they put together the evening meal. Once both were finished she handed the slightly larger portion to Zabuza and began eating her own easily. She closed her eyes and listened to the pitter patter of the raindrops falling over the tarp above them. He turned to his meal that while it didn't have meat in it this time it still held flavor from the mixture of greens and fruits she used to make it.

Sakura watched as he ate and smiled noticing that he wasn't struggling to eat it. Her team always hated when she prepped without a fire because they liked meats but, eating greens and fruits were important too. Zabuza glanced back seeing her smile and finished chewing before asking, "What're you smiling about?"

Sakura laughed, "I'm just glad you're eating it without complaining or struggling…team 7 never does. I swear they all would prefer being cannibals over eating a healthy meatless meal once in a while." Zabuza smirked and could see the humor in it he shook his head, "Those brats will realize that these can save their lives someday. Just give em time to grow a bit."

Sakura nodded and easily cleaned off her empty dish before leaving it to dry so she could use it again in the morning. Zabuza continued to eat his own meal allowing the girl to stretch and massage her muscles before she pulled a canvas tarp out of her own pack and began blocking off the opening to their camp. She was able to tie it up easily and he saw that he could see outside with no problem.

"Seals? Not bad Princess, I'm guessing the outside blends." He commented, and she nodded, "That's what I paid for them to make so it should. This is the first chance I've had to use it." Zabuza gestured for her to come sit on her futon next to his and she was quick to do so. She allowed her green eyes to gaze trustingly into his own and he nodded when she was comfortable.

He faced her also seated since he'd already removed his wet shoes and socks so they could dry. He then asked, "So, you finished the book your dad gave you?" Sakura shook her head yes. Zabuza added, "Did you see the resemblance he mentioned?" The young girl flushed a bit and nodded, "Yes, I am selfless and would rather let someone go then trap them and make them unhappy."

The man nodded in appreciation that she could acknowledge the truth about herself, "Now your father mentioned something to me and Haku recently. I want to know how you feel about it." Sakura looked up again and asked, "What did he mention exactly?" Zabuza had softened considerably not wanting to spook the young woman. "He mentioned a marriage arrangement. He wanted you to choose who you felt most comfortable with even mentioned that since it would be a clan affair the Hokage couldn't do anything to stop it."

Sakura nodded in agreement, "Clan affairs are considered separate from the politics of the village itself so it's true to Hokage has no say in it. What do you think of his proposal?" Zabuza nodded and explained, "Well to be honest it wasn't the first offer we'd ever had of the sort. Haku attracts a lot of attention and so do I for different reasons."

Sakura sighed, "I can see why that would be. Both of you have your attractive qualities just as you both have your faults. The qualities far outweighing the faults." Zabuza simply said to have her understand, "However, your father's proposal was presented with a lot more thought and very little shallow intentions. He thinks of your safety and happiness overall. Could you be happy with such an arrangement and if it was up to you who would you choose. Not for propriety or any of that shit," he added to make her see what he was looking for, "for the long haul who would you choose and why?"

Sakura just asked frankly, "Screw propriety?" Zabuza nodded in agreement. Sakura smiled, "You, you understand me without me having to say a word, you're mature, intelligent, skilled, and you don't look down on me for asking questions. You appreciate me as a person without even knowing who I was at first when we met. Not because I had a title but, because of my own actions in saving Haku's life and yours."

She paused and took a breath before adding, "Not to mention there's something about you that calls to me and while I don't know why now well," she shrugged calmly, "it'd be stupid of me not to take the time and figure it out."

Zabuza hummed in understanding and he fingered the necklace he gave her clasped around her neck, "I don't do the sappy romantic shit…it's not my style but, if I'm your choice then." He picked her up and wrapped her firmly in his arms, so she could see his eyes knowing he wouldn't lie, "Here's what I can do, for as long as that necklace remains on your neck and you never stray. I will be yours when you're ready."

Sakura seemed like it was too good to be true and she said, "Promise?" She didn't want to let this man slip away to someone else when she had a chance to see where their lives could take them. He nodded and said, "It's a promise, I am loyal to you and in return you will be loyal to me. Nothing happens until you've grown and everything will go at your pace. Deal?"

Sakura gave a happy and watery smile, "Deal, it's a promise between us." Zabuza allowed the young girl to hug him and the tension in her frame seemed to disappear when he returned it. He then placed her on her mat and said, "Rest up Princess, you've got training and more traveling to do tomorrow. I'll talk to your Dad when we get back."

ZIL: Hi all I know this installment took a while and I apologize but with holidays approaching I've been a bit busy and my job too plus college. I hope you all enjoy please review and tell me what you think so far? Good? Bad? How will the Akatsuki play into Sakura's future? Only time will tell!