Chapter 28
It was so quiet, back at their hideaway, which they couldn't even call it anymore since the town had been liberated. And after helping the reinforcements back to camp the civilians waiting were more than happy to see those who had been stuck in the tunnels. Nao hugged Lisa and Nico tightly crying out of happiness that her friends were alive. But that's not to say lives were not lost. Some weren't so lucky. They were tended to and fed, all sharing stories of what happened after Yupa's decision to abandon the tunnels.
The celebration didn't last long, the group exhausted from the night's events and falling asleep wherever they could find room. Zabuza was amused at the sight of his partner passed out on his mat under a tree only inches away from Lacey, who had changed out of the ruined clothing into something more comfortable. She had been instructed to sleep inside with the others, but of course didn't listen. Lying out on his own mat beside the dancer, the young man got comfortable by clasping his hands together under his head eyes closing. It had been a long day and could he not wait to finally sleep it all off. Haku and him had been through enough in the last few days and for the first time in a while the young man decided they were in need for some time off.
Something warm pressed against his side, causing his eyes to slit open and glance over. In her sleep, the dancer had rolled over and scooted closer. The young woman's nose was pressed against the fabric. He had half a mind to move away, but for some reason his body said differently staying in place. Zabuza even allowed one of her hands to grip his shirt. Slowly, he too fell asleep, unconsciously moving an arm and wrapping it around Lacey to pull her closer.
The sun had just barely begun to rise when the dancer's eyes fluttered open. She was so warm it was comforting, not wanting to move from that spot. But when the young woman realized the item she was holding began shifting on its own that caused her to tense. Carefully, Lacey glanced up finding the soundly sleeping rogue right beside her. And she didn't dare move noticing the arm wrapped around her. Thank goodness the others were spread out, otherwise the rogues would probably give Zabuza an earful since he was in fact the Demon of the Hidden Mist. But how was the dancer going to get out of this situation?
The ninja began to stir, Lacey quickly closing her eyes and completely relaxing the body, something Haku had taught her when trying to pretend to be dead if the situation called for it. Zabuza blinked away the sleep from his eyes, grunting when a shoulder popped from how stiff it had been. Gathering his surroundings the rogue was startled to find out what had happened in his sleep. Slowly, carefully, the young man removed the arm, pulling free his shirt too, not wanting to wake the sleeping dancer and stood. Trying to shake off the fact that they had… slept that closely together, the young man left Haku to sleep and disappeared towards the hideout.
When the coast was clear Lacey's eyes opened viewing the forest from her sideways position. It was so quiet, peaceful. Beautiful, after the last few days of fighting for survival. Haku was still here too, sleeping away. But the dancer was more concerned with other matters. Like the thought that kept plaguing her mind since being stuck in the tunnels and had continued to bother her when being tended to after the battle. Standing, Lacey began walking on her own. She needed to talk to someone otherwise the young woman would never find an answer.
"Something on your mind." Startled by the voice, Lacey's head turned finding Yupa not too far away. "Me too."
"About what?"
He chuckled. "Life. But my thoughts are not important."
"Everything is important."
The older man smirked. "Hmm… I guess so. But for someone who was believed to be dead you don't look too content with being alive."
"It's not like I wish I was dead. Being buried alive doesn't really sound pleasing to me."
"Then why are you not happy like your partners. Zabuza may be emotionless, but I know seeing you alive brought him great relief." Lacey doubted that to an extent. "You know the only reason he stayed was to avenge you."
"No, he stayed because of the money."
Yupa shook his head. "I paid him after the collapse. Said this was much bigger than we expected and that he no longer had to concern himself in our matters. I blamed myself too for your death. For putting so many innocent civilians in danger, people who stood by me and believed in my beliefs. Willing to accept the fact that they didn't mind being lead by an ex-rogue instead of a Lord because I could offer them a better quality of life. Even if society sees me as a criminal."
"He… didn't stay… because…"
The ex-rogue nodded. "He stayed for you. I wouldn't be surprised if your partners had gone back to the tunnels to dig out your body. But enough about that. Why do you seem so… uncertain?"
The dancer sighed, leaning against a tree. "I'm not a ninja. Everyone knows that. The only reason I've managed to stay alive this long with them is because I'm a dancer and manage to save myself with those techniques. But I will never match their levels. And I can't help but wonder sometimes…" Lacey sighed again, Yupa remaining silent and waiting for her to continue. "That I am holding them back. That I'm just a nuisance. Half of the time Zabuza kicks my ass because of my mistakes, to try and teach me new techniques like when he taught Haku. I'm not a normal pupil though so his methods don't always work," she then laughed shortly. "So. I'm beginning to wonder… if maybe it's my time to stop. Stop traveling with them. Try to live by myself, since I've never done so before. Stop… depending on them. I mean they have their own lives and I was just a girl who appeared out of nowhere with nothing.
"You want to settle.
"Maybe… I don't know. I just don't want to feel like a liability anymore. I don't want to get them killed because of my inexperience."
"Is that what you think you are?" Lacey nodded, the two sharing a moment of silence. "If it's a place you're looking to settle would you want to find a profession within the normal working world? Or would you wish to return to being a dancer?"
The young woman shook her head. "I don't ever want to be a dancer again because I do not want to be a piece of property."
"Past experiences I assume?"
"That's how I escaped that lifestyle and found Zabuza and Haku.
"Hmm…" he mused.
"Why?"
"Because I may have a proposition for you."
Haku didn't know what to say or think when Lacey confided in him what Yupa and her talked about in the forest. "Are you sure?"
"I don't know…" she answered. "I have to think about it. We're not leaving for another two days anyway at most."
"Have you told Zabuza?"
The dancer shook her head. "I honestly don't know what to say. Do you think he'll be angry with me?"
Haku snickered. "It's your choice. Besides, I think you repaid your debt a long time ago and yesterday just proved it when you saved Zabuza's life."
"You're sure he won't chase me through the forest and try to hunt me down?"
The teen laughed, Lacey grinning at the reaction. "It's your life, Lacey. But don't ever think you were a burden to us, even if Zabuza says differently because it's not in a rogue's nature to express it." But Haku had a pretty good idea what she would choose.
"Haku…?"
"Yes?"
"I'm gonna miss you."
And that alone only confirmed his suspicions.
"What's wrong with you?" Zabuza grunted. The teen hadn't said a single thing all night, barely even interacting with the children when they ran over asking him to play. Instead, they had run back over to Lacey, who had sat herself near Balto and Fin. He nearly chuckled when the brats tackled her to the ground.
"Nothing."
"Don't bullshit me."
Sighing, Haku refused to meet his gaze. "I don't think it's my place to say."
"Out with it already." Both of his partners had been acting odd since this morning and it was annoying him to no end.
"You cannot get angry with her. This is her decision."
The young man cocked a brow in confusion. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Lacey's leaving."
The harsh expression left his face, turning to stare at the laughing dancer across the room. He couldn't find the words to say anything and left the hideout. Haku cursed under his breath.
When Zabuza began ignoring her, Lacey knew Haku had said something to the rogue. But she wasn't upset with him since he was going to find out soon enough her plans. She still had to talk to him though, as much as he didn't want to. The dancer was surprised though. At that fact that Zabuza seemed to care… in a sense. She found him by the river filling his water sack. Of course he sensed her right away, standing when done and moving further down. The dancer sighed and followed after him, calling, "Zabuza." The young man continued to ignore her. "Zabuza. Zabuza." Having enough of this pointless chase her speed picked up just enough to catch up, reaching out and gripping his arm. "Zabuza!" But the rogue jerked away, causing Lacey to stumble nearly falling to the ground.
"When were you going to tell me your master plan?" he snarled.
The dancer was taken aback by the harshness, but glared at him seconds later. "I was going to tell you! But how could I without thinking of a plan to break it to you? I mean, come on, Zabuza, you're not the easiest person to talk to sometimes. I was afraid you would treat it like a joke or act like this! I was trying to avoid this!"
"How can we avoid this? Were you going to spring it on me the day we were leaving?"
"Why do you even care? You've been trying to get rid of me for years!"
The rogue was at a loss for words. They just stood there, staring at each with panting breaths, neither backing down. He forced himself to break the eye contact, moving a few steps away and running a frustrated hand through his hair.
Lacey sighed. "Sorry… I didn't mean to shout." He said nothing. "Zabuza, we all know I have no place among you or Haku. I slow you down, get in trouble half the time, and have yet to really grow beyond Chuunin. Why would you want someone who is more of an annoyance hanging around a team of rogues who need to make a living out of bounty hunting and illegal matters? I'm capable of getting us caught. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already."
The wrappings hid the smirk that came to his lips. He could not believe that she was selling herself short. Zabuza had to hand it to the young woman. She had survived longer in their company than he thought would be possible.
"Zabuza… it's time to let me go."
"Do you believe you can survive on your own?"
She gave him a smile. "You two have helped me learn how. And besides, it's not like I'll be leaving this area. Yupa was kind enough offer me a job."
"What kind of job?"
"Don't worry nothing crazy like being a ninja, I'm sure." He gave a grunt, rolling his eyes and Lacey laughed. "You'll be fine without me."
A hand ruffled her hair. "Whatever you say." And instead of being upset by the out of place strands Lacey grinned up at him.
Most of the rogues had left by morning, Zabuza surprised to find Yupa waiting for them just outside the hideout. "Don't seem so surprised. I've been seeing everyone off personally to thank them for their services."
Both men shook hands, Haku giving a nod before turning to look at Lacey, who stood beside the ex-rogue now. But he soon stepped away at a distance to give them some privacy. "So you're really going through with this?" Haku asked.
Sighing, a nervous laugh escaped her lips. "I, uh, I guess I am. I mean, Yupa offered for me to be an apprentice… As a merchant that is. I think we all know I'll never be a successful rogue Ninja. One can dream though. Besides, the kids seem to be really attached." The silence was awkward, Lacey looking away and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "So… I guess this is goodbye then."
Haku hugged her tightly, the dancer kissing his head. "You're going to be an amazing Ninja one day," she muttered.
When Zabuza approached he held out a hand to shake in a professional manner. Lacey rose a brow before rolling her eyes and walking forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. The rogue awkwardly stood there after the fact that he had been deliberately avoiding her. "Goodbye…" she whispered. "And thank you for everything." Her grip tightened, his arms finally wrapping around the young woman. "Everything."
"Yeah, well, you made things interesting for us, that's for sure," he muttered.
Lacey laughed, pulling away with a wide grin. "If you're ever in the area again you're welcomed to stop by."
"We'll keep that in mind."
There was a moment of silence, the dancer shifting on her feet as the two turned away. "Goodbye," Haku called back, Lacey waving.
Yupa approached, the both of them watching until they were no longer visible. "You didn't have to stay, you know," the older man said.
"I would only get in their way."
Shaking his head the man chuckled, while turning away. "Well, he'll be back."
Lacey cocked a brow, whirling on the retreating form. "What? No he won't.
"Trust me. He will."
A/N: I don't own anything
