Folded Hands, Chapter Twenty-Three
Pairings: Zabuza/Haku, possibly others later
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After an exhausting morning run and a quick breakfast, Haku, Sakura, and Naruto returned to the training grounds. Sasuke ran off again, though Haku didn't know where to, and his teammates let him leave without any questions.
Haku was surprised to see Itachi waiting where they had trained the day before. The older man glared when he saw the three of them, and asked with a scowl, "Where's Sasuke?"
Naruto laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Don't know, don't care."
"He didn't go to see you?" Sakura asked curiously.
Itachi sighed and put one hand to his forehead. "I told him to meet me here. He must have thought I said 'meet back home' or something…"
"I knew what you said."
They turned to see Sasuke standing a few feet behind Itachi, and Haku was surprised that he hadn't seen him there before. Itachi stared at his brother for a moment before glaring at him.
"What are you doing?" he asked Sasuke.
Sasuke pouted, then folded his arms and walked up to Itachi. "That's not a very nice way to talk to your dear little brother, Itachi."
Haku watched the scene in confusion. The dynamics of their relationship seemed to have changed since the previous day.
"Get out of here," Itachi said in an irritated voice.
His little brother pouted again. "But I wanted to see you so badly!"
Naruto exchanged a look with Sakura. She shook her head and held out a hand as if to say 'don't do anything'.
"What do you want?" Itachi spat.
Haku stared as Sasuke walked right up to Itachi, put his hands on his chest, and whispered in his ear, "Fuck me, 'tachi."
Naruto's eyes shot wide open and Sakura covered her mouth as a coy grin spread across Sasuke's face. The older Uchiha pulled a kunai from his weapons pouch and slashed at Sasuke, who disappeared in a poof of smoke to leave a smug-looking Sai standing in his place.
Haku stiffened immediately, hoping not to draw the artist-nin's attention, and Sai grinned at Itachi. "Too good to be true, isn't it?"
"If I wouldn't be thrown out of the village or executed for it, I'd kill you."
Sai stepped back from the fuming Uchiha, trying to free himself from the weight of Itachi's killing intent. "You should thank me, Itachi, for bringing a little bit of your fantasy to life."
Itachi's…fantasy? Haku thought. No, Sai usually says things that aren't true. He's just trying to mess with Itachi's head.
"Running out of insults, huh, Sai?" Naruto shouted at the smug artist-nin. "You use that one everytime! There's just nothing bad about Itachi, huh?"
"Naruto!" Sakura hissed at him, trying to keep Naruto from saying anything that would provoke more insinuations or insults from Sai.
Itachi's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Sasuke came in sight then, running towards his brother, an apology or an excuse on his tongue if Haku's prediction was correct.
"Well," Sai said, turning his smiling face towards Haku, "now that the genuine article's here, I must take my leave." He faced Itachi once more. "Am I really that pale in comparison to your dear little brother?"
Itachi reached for the sword on his back, and Sai jumped into a nearby tree, still grinning.
Sasuke joined them, panting, and he choked out, "Sorry…'tachi…just…got..mixed up…"
His older brother didn't face him, but he replied, "No harm done. Just listen more carefully next time, Sasuke."
"Yeah, sorry," Sasuke repeated, standing up as he caught his breath.
Haku made a mental note of the encounter.
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Haku was glad for Sakura's presence that day. She made a point of healing him every time he fell, took a hit from Itachi, or even if he just began breathing too hard. He thanked her every time, of course, and she would just smile back.
He trained against Sasuke that day; Itachi had taken off soon after the Sai incident, not sparing his brother a look as he said something about seeing the Hokage about his new mission assignment. Sasuke continued to teach him the Uchiha Alpha combination, and he soon realized that Itachi had gone gently on him the day before; he had supported Haku's weight during the sequence, trying to make sure that he would not fall.
Sasuke, however, did not do this. Haku knew that it would be wrong for him to expect Sasuke to help him that way; not only was that kind of assistance unrealistic (for in actual combat, his opponent would not hold him up while he attacked them) but Sasuke's body was smaller than Itachi's, and he was not quite as strong.
Thinking back on it, Haku also made a note of Itachi's strength. He had not had to put much effort into supporting Haku's body, even if he only used one arm.
He collapsed again, and Sakura ran away from her fight with Naruto to heal him.
"How's it going?" she asked conversationally as she knelt by him.
He forced a smile to his face. "All that I can say is that I'm glad to have Sasuke as a teacher."
Sasuke laughed. "Is it really nice? I was trying to be nice, yeah, but I don't know too much about teaching."
Naruto joined them for a moment, and he shouted directly at Sasuke, "Yeah, you weren't nice at all yesterday!"
Sasuke glared at him, then said to Haku, "I'll take your word for it, not his." He took a breath, and sighed. "Itachi is a much better teach than I am. He's had more experience, too, and for some reason, a few years ago, he started talking about wanting to be a teacher…" he trailed off, then laughed. "Of course he didn't, though. He's better than that."
Haku turned to look up at him. "What do you think of your brother?"
"Itachi?" Sasuke asked in surprise. He contemplated for a moment. "Well, he's…way better than I'll ever be. And he's…well, he's my brother and we get along fine."
Sakura finished healing him—he actually had scraped his elbows during his fall—and she said to Sasuke, "I'm sure you'll be just like him someday, Sasuke."
He shook his head. "I could never be."
Haku watched his face for a moment. Sasuke had not given him the kind of answer he'd been looking for, but he decided that there was nothing wrong with that.
It would be wrong for him to pry into their family's business, anyway.
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Itachi stalked down the halls of the temple. His destination: the Hokage's office.
He patted the bag he was carrying quickly to make sure that the documents he'd gathered were still there, and then he slung his bag back over his shoulder. The Yukitori clan was not well known; he had heard about them once before, but in the same breath that the person had used to tell him the clan's name, he was told that the clan was long-dead.
Itachi's thoughts strayed to his own clan, the Uchiha clan. His family was alive and thriving, and the Uchiha name carried a special meaning among the people of Konoha Village. They were the elite.
Itachi had been one of the elite a long time ago, and he still was, by most standards. He was in ANBU, and he had been since he was thirteen. He had been offered the position of ANBU captain several times, but that position carried with it responsibilities that Itachi did not want to take.
If he had accepted the position, he knew that he may have never been able to see Sasuke again.
The ANBU captains were a special crowd, even amongst Jounin, even amongst ANBU. None of their identities were known by anyone other than the Commander General of ANBU; they could not even pick out each other on the street, on the rare days when they were not occupied.
Itachi sneered as he remembered his last argument with his father on the matter.
"I will not see you turn down an opportunity like this, Itachi. You represent our family; remember that."
"I know that, Father, but I simply cannot take the position."
"Why not?"
He had not known what to say then. The truth was too difficult.
"I simply cannot."
His father sighed. "Itachi, I'll let this disobedience slide for now. I am only making an exception because it is YOU who is defying me. I am certain, though, that the temple will offer you the position again, and you will take it, one day."
He glared at his father, making no attempt to hide his anger.
"Yes, Father."
Itachi forced the scowl from his face as he passed a group of female Chuunin in the hall. They stared at him in surprise for a moment before pretending to ignore him. He knew he drew attention; Sasuke drew attention in the halls, too.
They were the Elite Uchiha brothers, after all.
He arrived at the Hokage's office and opened the door to find the head of the temple drinking sake while looking over paperwork. He shut the door quickly and walked up to the desk of the woman who had taken the last position he had turned down.
Itachi smirked for a moment; his father had been furious that day.
He had almost taken the position; if he had been the Hokage, he would have been able to see Sasuke all the time. He could have even requested his brother to come to his office whenever he wanted to see him; hell, he could have ordered Sasuke to serve as his assistant, and his brother would have been able to bitch and complain and nothing would change.
Itachi had made a point of telling his father of his intention to take the position of Godaime immediately, to show the man that though he was willful, he still knew he had to meet his father's expectations. His father had replied by saying, "As expected of my son."
When he and Tsunade had sat before the Council of Elders to settle the matter of the identity of the new Hokage, however, one of the first points that had been brought up was the matter of behavior.
Itachi had sat down calmly on one of the cushions set out for himself and the medical specialist. She had had a bored look on her face that day, but he had sensed nervousness hidden under that mask. The fact that she was sober also hit him quickly, but he said nothing about it and his face showed that he knew nothing.
"It has come to our attention," one of the elders said when Itachi sat down, "that many of the villagers are concerned with the new Hokage's behavior."
Tsunade blushed, and Itachi noticed that she was starting to sweat. He had known, from overheard conversations, that the woman did not want to take the position of Hokage, not after Yondaime became disabled, and he did not know why. It seemed that she did intend to fight for the position, though, and she shot Itachi a look before saying, "I know that my history isn't as squeaky-clean as Itachi's, and that I…have a drinking problem…"
"You also cover up your age with a genjutsu," one of the elders added, shaking his head. "It's not appropriate for the leader of our temple."
Tsunade nodded. "But, besides that, I have more experience, and my record--"
The first elder cut her off. "That is all true, Tsunade, but the Council would be pleased if you would not speak before it is your turn."
She scowled but fell silent.
He continued. "At the same time, that is not what I meant. By behavior, I am referring to Mr. Uchiha's disinclination towards sociability."
Itachi stared at him, for a moment, stunned. The elder took in his silence and went on to say, "It is important that the next Hokage can identify with the villagers and the students. Itachi, despite your youth, you cannot properly socialize with civilians and young people. You are also incredibly withdrawn, having but two friends."
Itachi nodded, and the elder continued. "Your brother, and another boy from your clan…we cannot have a Hokage who is unable to communicate with other people, or unable to maintain interpersonal relationships."
Tsunade stared as the Council members all nodded in agreement.
The elder then said, "Itachi is most likely Tsunade's superior in combat, indeed he is her superior in many ways, but this facet of his person cannot be overlooked. The Council wishes that Tsunade become the next Hokage, taking the title of Godaime."
Itachi sat down in front of her now; it had been nine years since that day, and Tsunade had done a lot of good for the temple, though her gambling debts and lack of a good work ethic were often her downfall. She hid her empty sake cup quickly, though it was obvious that the Uchiha had seen it, and she smiled at him.
"Well, Itachi," she said brightly, alcohol on her breath. "Have you come to ask about your next assignment?'
He nodded. "You wish for me to continue my research on the Yukitori clan, correct?"
The blonde woman nodded before leaning back in her chair to relax. "You don't have to leave immediately…just go soon. I would appreciate it if you could be back before that boy has to leave." She sighed. "Damn that Water Country ninja…leaving his slave here for US to train. It's not right for those without Bloodline Limits to train those who have them."
Itachi nodded. "I don't like that man's attitude either. I don't think he quite understands the nature of Haku's abilities."
"Well, anyway, this is your only mission for now."
"I do have some questions considering the specifics of my mission, however," Itachi said, trying to make it clear to the woman that he was not ready to leave her office, no matter how badly she wanted to start drinking again.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "What exactly do you need to ask me about?"
Itachi sighed. Tsunade seemed to think that they were rivals following the Council's decision, or that he was bitter. "It has come to my attention that the Yukitori clan has been violent in the past, and has even raided nearby villages, taking whatever they wanted."
"Oh, that." She fell into a relaxed posture again. "If the Yukitori clan is up to something, then you have the temple's permission to kill the entire clan. If there are children, though, bring them back." She frowned. "I don't want you to commit infanticide."
"Understood." He stood and left her office as quickly as he had come, leaving the Hokage to enjoy more sake before her assistant found her slacking off.
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Haku had noticed that Sasuke had fallen into a mood of some kind, and he ate dinner with the others without a single word falling from his lips.
Naruto was happy to make up for Sasuke's quietness, though, and he spoke more loudly than usual, laughing at Kiba's jokes twice as hard.
He returned his attention to his own plate then, and he realized that he hadn't touched his food yet. His mind wandered from one thing to another, and he saw something in Itachi's and Sasuke's relationship that reminded him of his relationship with his Master. He doubted that the same loving, protective feelings that existed between the brother existed between he and his Master, though.
Haku bit his lip, trying to work up his resolve. He would have to replace the missing parts with other parts—where there was not love, there would be respect and obedience. He would have to make up for what he could not make his Master feel for him.
"Are you feeling alright?" Hinata asked him suddenly.
Haku looked to his left to see the pale-eyed girl join him at the table. "Yes, Hinata," he said softly.
She smiled shyly at him, and said, "I'm worried about the party that's coming up."
"Party?" he asked, remembering the 'party' Naruto had told him about and deciding that it was not what Hinata was referring to.
Hinata nodded. "There's a party four days from now, and I have a dress, but…" she looked away, blushing. "I don't have a date, and I don't know how to ask…" She turned back to him then and laughed. "I'm sorry to bring this out of nowhere."
He smiled back. "No, it's alright." By her body language, he knew that she was not talking about him.
Kiba noticed that Hinata had joined them, and he asked to switch places with Chouji, who quickly complied, so that he could sit down across from Hinata. "What's up?" he asked.
Hinata blushed and snuck a look over Haku's shoulder. "I don't know how to ask him.."
Kiba folded his arms and frowned. "I'll tell you what, Hinata. Haku and I—if it's okay with Haku—we'll go to town with you, and we'll ask out girls, and when you've watched us look stupid and get dates, then…" he leaned in and whispered, "then YOU have to ask out Naruto."
Haku shot him a confused, slightly offended look and Hinata blushed and covered her face. She looked from one boy to the next, and she asked, "Do you mean it?"
"Sure!" Kiba said cheerfully. He looked at Haku. "Sorry to drag you into this, but is that okay with you, man?"
Haku sat and stared at him for a moment, weighing his options. Option A involved sitting out on a fun, albeit stupid and immature, plan that would allow him to bond with two students he would train with later. Option B involved possibly making an ass out of himself, not to mention pursuing a girl in a romantic way, even if he was only pretending.
He realized, too, that the dance occurred on the same night as Naruto's 'party', and he realized that, if Hinata did not ask out Naruto and ensure that he would go to the more legitimate party (even for just a small amount of time), that Hinata would lose any chance of seeing him that night.
"Of course," he said with a smile. "That sounds like fun."
Kiba grinned, and Hinata hugged him shyly before whispering, "Thank you!"
Naruto looked over to his left, and he grinned. It looks like Haku's doing well with the girls! He thought stupidly before shoveling more food in his mouth as he stared at Sakura, who was discussing something or other with Ino, who seemed distracted..
Naruto sighed. His pink-haired angel was so wonderful, even if she liked that jackass.
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Zabuza checked out a room that night in a hotel near 'Ice Country'. The Ice Country was not actually a separate country; it was the northern third of the Water Country, and the land was covered in ice for two-thirds of the year. At that particular moment in time, though, the land had thawed, making the Ice Country the perfect place for people such as Zabuza who liked to avoid the summer heat and the humidity that the Water Country was well-known for.
There was still a large amount of money in his wallet, and more hidden in his luggage, so he didn't have to worry about working just yet. He did want to find a job, though, if only to get him back into his usual pattern.
He looked out the window, and, to his surprise, snow had begun to fall.
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Notes: Well, what the fuck do you think is about to happen, bitches?
Please excuse my language. It's finals time.
