Please Review. Reviews are what gives me life to keep going and let me know how the story is being received. I honestly hope to get this fic recommended one day. I honestly can't believe no one has made any parallels between Naruto and the fourth Mizukage.
Haku's senses were sharp from years of practice and necessity, being a missing-nin meant always being conscious of the moment hunter-nin ambushed you. Her sharp senses saved her previous master a few times. She stirred and was more than aware when her husband arose a little past sunrise.
She heard him fumble his way towards the kitchen; she had contemplated making her husband breakfast before ultimately deciding to not proceed without instructions as the boy seemed conscious of her service and she didn't know what groceries he even had. She had experience cooking as Zabuza made that one of her tasks, but he would always eat whatever she gave him as long as it was edible. Her nose detected the whiff of eggs, meat, and flour. Her mouth watered as good food was delicacy a life on the streets and then on the run rarely provided.
Haku decided to get dressed so as to not embarrass or demean her husband at breakfast or later during her first evaluation. She searched her husband's closest to see what the nicest article of clothing he had that would fit her: a pair of black sweatpants fit her nicely, his sandals fit easily, and an orange jacket over a random t-shirt made the entire outfit look seamless. His mirror showed a young girl in what would look like casual street wear- a projection of normality would be beneficial in dissuading allegations she was a plant or a secret operative.
She heard her husband's footsteps before he knocked.
"I'm prepared for you to enter." She faced him with her hands clasped low and her head subtly bowed.
The door slowly entered. Naruto entered with his eyes downcast and unsure. He took a look at her before entering.
"You found something to wear." Naruto observed her change in clothes.
"There's precious little time to shop for something to wear. I didn't want to delay your day," She bowed her head a little deeper.
"It's okay," Naruto put a hand up. "I keep saying I'm not your master. But. . . " He trailed off as he blushed before looking away.
"You are my husband, don't fear any request or query you may have."
Naruto still kept her eyes off her. "H-how did you get a new pair of panties?"
"I'm wearing your boxers," Haku replied bluntly.
Her husband's deep wince made her smile.
"I'll take you shopping for clothes after training today. Anyway, I made breakfast." He beat a hasty retreat and Haku followed while laughing under her breath. Only a boy his age would react that way.
Haku would have to initially rate her husband's cooking skill as better than her's. The pancakes were deliciously dripping with syrup while the bacon and eggs wafted a delicious smell. It likely helped that he had the time and inclination to make his food taste good and not just nutritious enough to keep evading pursuers. Their meal was still a silent affair as Naruto was back in his own little world as he barely focused on eating his food. A primal part of her savored eating something that wasn't rations- it was in this way that Haku found herself finishing before her husband. She worried that she might have committed a social faux paus as a wife by finishing first; she dismissed her concerns as they were in private (save their Anbu observers) and Naruto was clearly not a traditionalist.
"I'll assume my wifely duties of cooking your meals when we return to your apartment. Are there any kinds of foods you prefer?"
"No need," Naruto kept his lulled stare on his plate. "I like cooking and don't want to burden you anymore."
"Husband, you should let your wife do her duties to you."
"I don't think a wife should be a maid. Don't you want to start training soon, anyways?"
"I was made your wife and the Hokage informed me for the time being I'm forbidden from entering the Shinobi forces."
"What!?" Naruto erupted from his seat. "That stupid old man!"
Haku wondered what kind of relationship Naruto had with the Hokage given how unafraid he was to voice his annoyances with the man. She rather not try his patience given all Naruto had lately.
"It's only initially," she mollified him. "I just intend to be on my best behaviour for the time being and wish to be of service to you, husband."
"And I want you to do what you want." Naruto brusquely replied.
"Do you not want to be a ninja?" Naruto 's interrogated her.
Haku didn't have an easy answer to Naruto's question. Haku's last free decision was to kill her father and the mob he brought to lynch her. That was born out of a simple urge to live. Afterwards the days were a blur as her body just did whatever it could to survive while her heart quietly died. When Zabuza found her and decided to make her a tool she wasn't capable of protesting and what was still living in her was happy to have a purpose.
She didn't even have any hobbies anymore as she dissected any part of herself that wasn't useful to her late master. Every second of her day was spent for Zabuza's sake in some way: training to become a stronger tool, basic medicine and herbology to heal their wounds, and basic chores Zabuza didn't want to waste his time on. She wasn't capable of having any strong likes or dislikes. She liked serving a purpose to someone and disliked being useless.
The little girl in her memories would have doubtlessly abhorred killing. She wanted to spend her days playing with mommy and waiting for daddy to come home from his work in the fields. She would have made a poor ninja. The boy in front of her for all his love of being shinobi will doubtlessly ever be much of a killer. That was unfortunate given the expected tasks of Jinchuriki and antagonistic elements he alluded to.
If she could still make a free choice it would be to stand by his side still. The boy could never use a knife. He'd rather die than wield her that way and she knew it. He would need a shield. One he could bring into battle with him. A shield to defend himself from a world and even a village set against him. She would rework herself yet again for him. A good shield needed to be strong.
"I do intend to resume my training when approved." Naruto looked visibly relieved by her answer. "But I do want to do the chores around her and it looks like they need to be done."
Naruto grew sheepish from her accuracy. "We'll split it down the middle."
She rose from her chair. "I'll wash the dishes while you finish."
Morning in Konoha was scenic. The sight of people beginning their days with no stress was pleasing to see- until they stopped to gawk and whisper at them. Naruto didn't even seem to notice despite how blatant they were. Many looked at the two of them walking side by side, noticed her clothing's likely origin, and clearly began to gossip. Haku knew she wouldn't be very popular when status was revealed but she received direct looks of confusion, concern, and pity. The most negative reactions she received were a few old women shaking their heads and muttering about inexperienced girls. The most negative reactions were all directed at Naruto as many glared at him with jealousy and or disdain depending on their sex. Haku learned by necessity how to read people and many seemed offended on her behalf.
"Acquaintances of yours?" Haku raised her voice for only him to hear.
"Sorry," he replied. "Most of the time they just ignore me. They're probably just curious about you."
Haku could scarcely imagine how the rumor mills would spin once word spread she was the village Jinchuriki's wife. She was used to far worse treatment back in Kirigakure and doubted any of the civilians would or could give them any trouble. Jinchuriki were looked on with suspicion in Mist before the Mizukage went insane. The stories of the Kyubi's attack on Konoha spread rapidly after it occured; people's resentments always need somewhere to go and their new Jinchuriki was the perfect target.
Haku could deal with passive aggressive gossipers. In her previous life, killer hunter-nin were far more formidable foes.
Anbu were waiting for them in front of the Hokage's tower. They took her and led her away before either husband or wife had a chance to give parting words.
"Hey! Be nicer!" Naruto's words were ignored by her Anbu escort. One Anbu grabbed each of her arms and she had to match her pace to avoid being dragged. They quickly descended to the depths of what were likely Konoha's T&I department or headquarters. T&I were always a haunting curse designed to strike fear in ninja, especially their own. A trip to Kirigakure's T&I division was something few mist-nin ever returned from, those that did rarely returned with their minds too.
Haku wondered how far her interrogation would go. She was confident she could persevere and keep a brave face for her husband.
"Hello." A large man with two scars sliced parallel down his face greeted her. Her Anbu procession disappeared as if they never existed.
"Do you go by Uzumaki Haku, or Yuki Haku?" His tone contained genuine politeness. It seems like she wasn't assigned a zealot sadist.
"Yuki Haku." She had no connection to her ancestral clan but didn't want her actions to reflect on Naruto more than they had to.
"You're wearing his clothes so comfortably, so I see you two got busy last night." A woman's voice teased. The newcomer came up beside the man and barely came up to his chest. Her similar choice in a long flowing trench coat hinted at their collegial nature.
"When I heard the news, I was so surprised that the kid got himself such a pretty wife." She cupped her chin as she tilted her head up to scan her face. Haku didn't flinch or speak.
The woman released her hold and stepped back.
"You could do worse. The kid's cute and you could probably wrap him around your finger with enough ramen. Captured foreign nin like you can't really expect or hope for better." The woman seemed to have enough sadism for both of them.
Haku guessed she was the abusive agent to make the man look generous.
"Anko," the man called her name with the authority only a superior would have. "I would hope you don't abuse your authority."
Anko shrugged. "I'm sure she appreciates us being honest about what she is. I have nothing against her but best remind her no one will let her forget it."
"My name is Morino Ibuki. I hope we establish a working relationship with few difficulties." The man remained stoic, and his voice was impassive.
"I'm Mitarashi Anko. Buy me some sake and I'll be your best friend." Anko wrapped her arms around Haku.
"I'd have to acquire the funds first." Anko muttered her husband was a cheap skate under breath. "I'm in your care," she bowed.