Being returned to Naruto's side was quick and almost hastily forced through, with nary but a ANBU grabbing her by the arm and half guiding/half shoving her through the halls for a half minute before she was practically tossed out the front of the main office. As she had hoped, Naruto was there, as was his teacher, the former grumbling toward the latter, who, as she had learned on their way back was the norm, was reading an very familiar looking orange book.

"I assume you can handle it from here, Kakashi?"

The white haired Jonin only gave a nod, not even glancing away from his current vice, and the ANBU took that with stride, disappearing from sight with not even a visible Shushin.

"Eh, I suppose I should escort the newlyweds home?"

She didn't have words, feeling only bone tired, but she dared not speak for her new master. So instead, she looked over to him, and waited for an answer. She dared not deny him a choice, and she knew not what was traditional in the village. She wouldn't want to accidentally cause an issue or worsen a social Faux pas that the Jonin might've made, be it knowingly or unwittingly.

"Eh, yeah... Today's been kinda... Yeah. Let's go home."

And with that, they began to walk. She had absolutely no idea where she was beyond the center of the village, but she took this moment to memorize her surroundings and make some initial observations.

The buildings were clean and cared for, the streets clear of detritus and the civilians seemingly unafraid of the ninja that actively walked amongst them. It was a far cry from all the other villages she had visited, were the squalor seemed to ooze out of every crevice and the civilians fearfully avoided the ninja that they actively knew of. Where children starved on the side of the road, and the bodies were only cleaned up when it got above freezing and the smell started.

Not even the mist village had such calmness about it, and they were infamous for being silent.

But, outside of the near-utopian amounts of calm, peace, and signs of prosperity, (At least in comparison to the mist) she found that there was little of note. The surroundings, while pleasant, had nothing of particular value, the people were seemingly unimportant. Her master had seemingly calmed down and had grown quiet after they left the previous building, and even his teacher seemed enraptured in his book, and beyond the pleasant atmosphere there was little happening. Ultimately, the trip was short, silent, and more than a little bit uncomfortable, with nothing remotely interesting happening. In fact, after a good fifteen minutes of silence, when they had finally arrived at a slightly run-down apartment complex, Haku found herself growing... bored.

There were no threats to spot, no missions or clients to find, and the village itself proving to be literally as the tales said; Safe and secure, prosperous and competent. She was not exhausted beyond what was to be expected for having the stuffing beaten out of her a week or so ago, nor was she expected to train, she had no commands nor standing orders, and Naruto was caught up in his own little world.

"Home sweet home, eh, Naruto?"

The boy in question merely gave a slow nod, his eyes still forced forward in deep thought.

"Yeah. I guess."

The boy's tone was neutral, and after a moment of waiting for more, the boy's teacher shrugged and began walking up the stairs, moving to a higher floor and prompting them to follow. Haku quickly went to work, mentally cataloging the building and observing her surroundings. There were 24 apartments in the building, and judging what she could view, roughly 19 were occupied. No obvious traps nor seals, so most likely civilian. That, or the opposite, and most occupants were Jonin or Anbu. Not the happiest thought.

She'd make it work.

They continued until they got to the top floor, and moved to the apartment furthest from the stairwell, where Kakashi opened the door and they casually walked in, which Naruto followed, prompting Haku to enter as well.

The apartment was small. A single main room, a hallway that led to what was most likely a bedroom in the back, a second door that was probably the bathroom, and a kitchenette. Decor-wise, it was bland, with nothing but a table and a houseplant providing a little color and perhaps a place to stash something that would be difficult to retrieve without leaving evidence of such theft; maybe a good money cache location?

Beyond that, it was moderately messy, with some dirty dishes sitting in the sink and a couple empty cups of ramen sitting on the table. There was little in the way of fresh food either; at least none on the counters, and there was some clothes and other objects strewn about. A pair of pants in the corner by the plant, wadded up in a ball carelessly, and a sock here or there, alongside a open kunai pouch full of what looked to be rusty and unsharpened knives.

"It's... uh, yeah."

Naruto's voice was a bit nervous and embarrassed, but Haku didn't mind. She had lived in much worse for long periods at a time, and Zabuza wasn't neat when it came to things that didn't need to be; food and clothes in a hideout being a prime example. If it wasn't something that would give their hiding place away or lead their hunters straight to them, Zabuza could not care less.

"It is a wonderful home."

Naruto blushed a bit at the praise, which admittedly made her smile a bit, and rubbed the back of his head out of embarrassment.

"Well, as cute as this is, I think I should leave you two alone. Naruto, Training tomorrow at 10, and make sure you drop off Haku at the Hokage Tower before you get to the bridge. And Haku, I'd be careful with using any Chakra tonight; you're under watch, and I doubt you want that sort of attention so soon. Heck, I'd just not use Chakra until you get the all clear; It'll be easier that way."

And with that, Naruto's Sensei gave Naruto another affectionate head pat to Naruto, and started down the stairs.

"You two don't have too much fun."

That got the teacher a glare from Naruto.

"Eh, ignore him. Let's go to bed. Uh... After maybe a shower for you; you're still kinda... yeah."

Ah, and who said chivalry was dead. The bluntness of Naruto's awkward and accidental insult actually managed a rare hint of a laugh from Haku, and she offered her new master and husband a smile.

"Thank you, Naruto. I'd love one."

A/N I know I've been gone a long time, but Covid, and a surgery, and being a medical worker in the middle of said Covid made things a royal pain in every way. As such, this chapter is admittedly a bit rushed, but I would love some constructive criticism or any sort of feedback in general. Flames, hatemail, why didn't x or y, opinions of all types are good to me. Thank you for being patient, and I cannot promise I'll be any faster, but hey, at least I'm still kicking, and I genuinely hope that you all are making it too.