Chapter 4

oooOOOooo

Haku woke up that morning restless. As he got up and made his way to his bathroom, Haku kept on thinking about Zabuza's message from the night before. Zabuza would be starting school today; during the middle of the school year. Haku still did not come up with a plan to prolong the inevitable. It was too soon to disclose the truth just yet. As he brushed his teeth, he continued to think about Zabuza and the potential danger. Fear for what was to come, began to grow as Haku began to imagine the look Zabuza would have on his face upon discovering Haku's secret.

Once he was done fixing himself for the day, he returned to his room. Despite his persistence to wear what he wanted toward his parents, he still could not muster up the courage to do so in school. His parents understood that it would take some time, even for their son who proposed the change. It wasn't until after he changed into his regular and dull male clothes that he received a text message from Anko. Despite being good friends, they were separated from each other during class time. Haku was a student of 2-B while Anko was a student from 2-C. The only time they would see each other was during lunch break. Around that time, they would meet up at the small courtyard within the school building. There was three of them that the school provided to their students. Each one was as lovely as the next. The difference between them was their characteristics from within the small land. The first had a small pond as well as a small bridge to cross. This one allow the student to gaze at the water or at the very least, remain close to a pond. The second was mostly clear grounds though filled with soft grasses well-suited for sitting down. It was the most popular spot to eat lunch. The last one had a small trail leading to each entrances/exits. Alongside that, was two wooden benches that held some importance to the school itself. Etched on the very back was the name of two students that used to attend to this school.

Haku and Anko would meet up in the last one, while sitting on those wooden benches. For some reason, most of the students would not enter that courtyard. It didn't cross Haku's mind at the time since it meant they wouldn't have to worry about other people listening in to their conversation. Within that courtyard, they would discuss their interests and desires. Anko would sometime bring in a rough draft of her newest doujinshi. Anko was excited to finally and formally meet Zabuza. She asked if Haku was just as excited.

Haku purposely delayed his response. He waited until after he left his house to reply back He should be excited, but the fear overshadowed his excitement. Zabuza was someone dear to Haku and throughout the years, a strong bond between them was forged. To think that that bond could break off instantly by that one lie was frightening. When he got to his seat in the bus, he sent his reply.

Of course!

He took in a deep breath as he waited for what was to come. During the bus ride, no one took a seat next to him. That was common because almost everyone would avoid him. Why? Well, it had something to do with his family and Kagura along with her friends. Since he was in elementary school, Kagura always tried to get everyone to keep their distance. It didn't help that his parents were government officials; his mother being a senator while his father was the head chief of their town police department. He made no move to go against what Kagura had done and have continued doing. It didn't matter to Haku. Not anymore. He somehow made friends despite all of that. There was Naruto from class 2-D, holding the lowest rank throughout the whole school. Even so, he held the biggest dream and had the warm face to prove it; to become mayor of their town.

Then came Sakura who Naruto introduced to Haku. Naruto felt comfortable to tell Haku of his crush on Sakura despite knowing she was in love with Sasuke. Sakura was the nicest and studious person from Naruto's group. The next was Sasuke who Haku spoke to the least. Contrary to Naruto, Sasuke held the highest ranking while coming from a noble clan. Eventually, Haku met Hinata who was hiding behind a wall. Hinata was the gentlest person Haku ever met. Aside from Anko, Hinata was someone Haku spent the most time with. They shared the same class and Haku felt the most at ease to talk to. Even though Hinata did not know of Haku's secret, Haku did not mind if she did. He already had spoken to Anko about telling Hinata. She was all for it. The more that knew, the more supporters on their side.

So Kagura indirectly assisted Haku to find real friends through the masses. Haku internally thanked Kagura and her friends despite the terrible things they had done and would do. Once the bus arrived to the school, the students departed to their class. When he took his seat, he was met by Hinata who arrived there shortly after. They talked for a bit, but before Haku could bring up his secret, the teacher arrived. A few minutes had gone by, though the teacher made no gesture to introduce a new transfer student. Maybe he's in a different class, thought Haku as the lesson continued.

Are you alright? Is something on your mind?

Haku noticed Hinata's message on her notebook. He replied back before smiling.

Yes. I'll tell you about it during lunch break.

They returned their attention to the blackboard. Unknown to Haku, Zabuza Momochi stood before the class of 2-C, where Anko nearly dropped her jaw. As he stood, he caught the attention of most of the girls with the color of his skin as well as the binding below his eyes. His voice was deeper than most of the boys and had an alluring effect as he spoke his name. What alarmed Anko the most was the girl that stood up and confessed her feelings. No, this girl wasn't Kagura. It was Ino Yamanaka. After the moment of silence, a few other girls did the same. They confessed their sudden, though sprouted, love toward Zabuza. It took their homeroom teacher as well as another teacher walking by to restore order into the classroom. As per the teacher, Zabuza was to be seated at the far end where it was mostly boys around him. Anko made the effort to stare at Zabuza a few times during the lesson. It wasn't until the fourth time that their eyes made contact with one another. To Zabuza, it may look like another girl that was love-struck but it was in fact Anko who was trying to know more about Zabuza without actually talking to him. She heard so much about him through Haku who spoke very fond of him. It wasn't until lunch break that she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Zabuza stood before her which attracted the attention of every other girl in the classroom. They had their sight on him as well as Anko who boldly and underhandedly acquired Zabuza's attention.

"Yes?"

oooOOOooo

Haku and Hinata made their way to the courtyard and took out their respective lunch box. One thing they both had in common, was the fact that they prepared their own lunch. It was one of their daily conversation as they shared recipes and taste preferences. Haku then remembered of the conversation he wanted to have with Hinata as he put down his chopsticks.

"Hinata…before anything else, there's something I want to tell you."

Hinata did the same as she sensed the sudden tension within the air. Her chopsticks were neatly placed above her lunchbox as she shifted her legs to turn her sight solely on Haku.

"Me too. Please let me go first." She insisted.

"Okay." Haku said. He wondered what she wanted to talk about. Did it have something to do with Naruto, the source of her affections. Throughout their time together, Haku learned that Hinata was heavily interested in Naruto and made it a habit of 'spying' on him.

"I'm sorry! All this time, I thought you were a girl. It was only recently that I found out through Anko, that you were in fact a boy. I'm sorry!" She brought her head before him. Haku was in utter shocked. For the first two quarter of the year, Hinata thought Haku was a girl? Didn't anyone in their class pointed that out to her? He wore the male uniform. Was it not obvious?

"Wha-wait… No one in our class pointed that out to you?"

"No." Hinata shook her hand. "I believe everyone in our class think you're a girl."

Haku's mind slowly processed the choice of words spoken by Hinata.

…everyone in our class think you're a girl…

…everyone…think you're a girl…

…you're a girl…

…girl…

oooOOOooo

-END

Author's Note:

That's it for now. Tell me what you think. I already finished writing the next two chapters. I simply need to edit them a bit before posting them. KawaiiHaku, thank you for your review. I'll be posting the two more chapters within the next 24 hours. Believe it! -sorrowXdarkness