Genre: General
Chars: Haku
Location: Directly after chapter 5
Foreword: First of the events following Haku's search to define himself
Fox Identity: Lost Segments
Tempering Ice I
-A Cool Change
By Arkhe
"Haku, is it?"
"Yes."
"Just 'Haku'?"
"I would rather not take my surname, Sir."
"I see."
The Professor, or otherwise his more commonly known title, the Third Hokage, had stroked his white beard, whilst scrutinising the younger ninja before him.
The younger, dark-haired boy had kept his head low in respect to the Hidden Leaf's strongest ninja. He dared not move a muscle, else he might inadvertently insult the pillar of the village and might be denied his request...
...Or worse. He was a missing ninja's accomplice and likely still listed as one. It would be simple for him to just disappear, along with any of the problems his existence would incur.
"And what are your intentions now?"
"I currently don't have one, Sir."
"How is that?"
"I was hoping to find myself... Naruto had beat into my head that much at least."
The old Leader had lifted an eyebrow at that. He turned away from the boy, approached the window of his office and puffed on his pipe for several moments longer. An undetermined amount of time passed before an Anbu personnel entered the room and handed the old leader a scroll. Sarutobi opened it and examined its contents carefully.
"Your dossier is as accurate as your formal admissions statement."
Haku made sure not to ask how they knew so much about him. Each country had a bingo-book for missing-ninja. It would make sense to share certain information about certain whereabouts and such.
There was a heavy silence before the elder spoke again.
"Very well. Your application as a citizen is approved..."
Haku blinked.
"However, you are on a probationary status for an undetermined period."
Haku didn't need explaining about that.
"Do you intend to take up the ninja profession?"
"I don't know." Haku admitted honestly.
"If you do, we can arrange classes in the academy or other forms of tutoring. That is, after determining your skill level." The older man amiably replied before continuing.
"You are also assigned to a jounin every 4 days of a week for probationary community service. Your accommodations will be paid for, but you will receive payment for your contribution to the community."
Haku didn't need telling that community service would likely be E-Rank missions and likely of the clerical kind.
"Will this be satisfactory?"
The young boy nodded and gave his thanks, also silently thanking the heavens that he was being given a chance at redemption.
The paperwork was filed, distributed among several individuals and before long, the former missing-ninja accomplice was given clearance. With his (restricted) freedom hanging over his head, Haku eventually found himself standing just inside the entrance of the administration building.
"Tomorrow, I will meet with my probationary jounin and will be doing paper work..." Haku muttered to himself.
And so he took a single step that took him outside of the building...
"But today, is mine."
...it was a single step to a journey to help him find his own purpose.
End
Author's Notes:
The reason this segment is not incorporated into the regular Fox Identity chapters, is because this soley revolves around Haku and is likely better as a side-story.
I've planned several segments to track Haku's progress of his own side-story. So far, around 6 are planned.