Chapter 3

oooOOOooo

After going through several of the stores the mall had to offer, Haku began to realize how slightly uncomfortable wearing those sandals were after a while. Knowing how sensitive and pale his skin was, he would find his feet sore by the time he return home. Thankfully Zabuza noticed Haku's discomfort and suggested they stop by a Jimmy Starships. A combination between a fast food restaurant and diner, the place was met halfway through it maximum capacity. It was no problem for them getting a table as their waiter took their order of drinks.

"Thank you… I'm sorry if we're going too slow…" Haku said as Zabuza shook his head.

"No, it's fine. After all, this day is about you and me. Now that I live here, we have plenty of time to know each other so let's take our time with it."

Haku's heart felt like it let out a shriek. They started going over one of their conversation they had on the chat-box. It concerned how stereotypical Haku's school was as they were filled with jocks, nerds, cheerleaders and so forth. Zabuza laughed as he tried to imagine Haku as a cheerleader. Haku puffed out his cheeks as the conversation became familiar. This was good as they would be sharing more conversation like this in the future.

"Don't get me wrong. I remembered you saying one time that you wanted to try out cheerleading, but after hearing how awful they are, why would you want to be that?"

True to his words, Haku did say that though it was more so he could try out their outfits. He was surprised Zabuza remembered that. It was a conversation they had years ago around the time they first met online. As their drinks arrived, Haku became curious on how Zabuza would drink his soda with those bandages over his bottom face. Another great thing about Jimmy Starship was the placement of the straws. There was a metal container that a customer could pull up and batches of straws would appear. He took one and gave another one to Haku before breaking the plastic wrapping. Haku did the same and sipped the soda through a straw. He turned to see Zabuza who placed the open end under a strap of bandage and began sipping. That strap must be intentionally loose so Zabuza could eat and drink easily, thought Haku.

While this was going on, Zabuza could not help but to focus his sight on Haku's appearance. Unlike the previous meeting he had with Haku, this time Haku dressed for the occasion. Those pants she wore wrapped around nicely as they showed how curved she was. Part of her legs were shown, displaying the tightness of her skin and if possible, the resilience as well as their smoothness. He shook the idea off as he tried to think of something else.

"So Zabuza, can I ask you why you wear those bindings over your mouth?" He never mentioned wearing them in their past conversations they had online. Haku meant to ask Zabuza about it before, but somehow never did. Was it something serious? Zabuza's body stiffened slightly as he looked around. He hoped to hold off until later, though he understood Haku's curiosity.

"I'm sorry Haku, could we talk about something else besides that?"

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make it awkward…"

"It's fine…you can ask me something else." Zabuza suggested as Haku nodded. There was so much he wanted to know about Zabuza, but where to start?

"How do you feel about moving here?"

"Good actually. I finally got to meet you and being able to live close to you was even better."

"I'm glad." Haku flashed a smile. They continued their conversation as Haku learned that Zabuza's parents were still fighting. This move currently had them living separately. He lived with his father in this city though he would stay with his mother in the weekend. Haku then asked if Zabuza had any friends he missed.

"No." Zabuza said which surprised Haku for a moment before he continued. "But, there's someone with whom I consider my rival that I do miss." Haku loved learning more about Zabuza and before they knew it, their meals arrived. They ate their meal silently though Haku could not help but to peek at Zabuza. His skin looked exotic and rich which ignited a sudden desire to brush his fingers down his skin. Anko arrived minutes later but Haku failed to notice her as she sat alone and order her own meal. As expected, despite them finishing up their meal, they continued to talk.

"What about you?" Zabuza asked.

"Hm?" Haku responded while taking a sip of his soda.

"We talked mostly about me. Let's hear something about you." He suggested which caused Haku to nearly drink his soda in the wrong pipe.

"Well…what exactly do you want to know about me?"

"Something I don't know already."

Well, they shared lot of things through the chat-box so that made it really difficult to say. He could mention more about his friends like Anko and even Sakura. Before he could, someone walked in with their friends. It was Kagura and her friends as they were attended by an employee. Just as they were making their way to their table, Kagura noticed them and smiled. Well, she noticed Zabuza as she shifted direction and walked toward them. This is not good. If she finds out that I'm pretending to be a girl, it will ruin my relationship with Zabuza.

Just before she could, Kagura slipped on a small puddle of water. Haku noticed the table and saw Anko nodding her head before apologizing to Kagura. They already paid so Haku suggested to leave. Zabuza didn't mind as they left the place. It didn't occur to Haku that he was dragging Zabuza around. They went to a toy store and saw all the wonderful toys they had. Zabuza was checking out some of the toy swords they had and Haku was looking at the stuff animals they had.

"I had fun today." Haku said as they waited for the bus. Haku would take the bus home while Zabuza waited for his father. The sun was on the midst of setting. Anko was nearby though she hid herself so she could give them more time to be alone together. The two of them were close the entire time. It wouldn't surprise her if they became a couple which was good for her and her mangas. If she had her glasses on, one would be able to see how fogged up they had gotten.

"Glad you did. You look great in that. You should look like this more often." Zabuza commented which earned cherry marks on the side of Haku's face.

"Thank you. You're a good friend." Haku said.

"You know, I'm not saying that because you're my friend. I'm saying it because you are cute."

Something clicked inside Haku's mind. His third objective was to get Zabuza to say that Haku was cute. He mentally checked off that objective and before they knew it, the bus arrived. They bid each other farewell though Haku felt boldness within that moment as he stepped close to Zabuza and planted a small kiss on the side of his face before heading inside the bus. Anko nearly dropped down at the display as the urge to draw that scene nearly took over. She quickly ran past the dazed Zabuza and made her way inside the bus as well. Seeing her blushing friend on the far end of the bus, she walked over there and took a seat down with him. They both smiled and giggled at each other as the bus returned them home.

That night, Haku continued his conversation with Zabuza until going to bed. Before he did, Zabuza texted back quickly:

I can't wait to see you at school. Hopefully we'll be in the same class together. NITE.

A new problem had arisen as Haku realized the meaning of the message. Zabuza would be attending Haku's school this coming Monday. Zabuza would be expecting Haku the girl, but would find only Haku the boy. Not good.

"Uh-oh"

oooOOOooo

-END

So Zabuza would be attending Haku's school. Just how will Haku keep up with his secret, all while in school? Stay tune to find out!