Chapter 5

oooOOOooo

It suddenly became clear to him. During the start of the school year, all the boys within his class left as he was changing into his gym clothes. He figured it was because of Kagura's doing, but perhaps it was because they have mistaken him for a girl. This happened only a number of times before Haku decided to change in the bathroom. Maybe that was why people were avoiding him. They deemed him strange because of his boldness as a girl.

"I'll understand if you want me to leave." Hinata said as she slowly began to pack her things. Haku quickly return to what was in front of him. He gestured Hinata to stop.

"No! I mean, it's fine. I was surprised is all." He said before dropping his hands to his body. "You really thought I was a girl?"

Hinata nodded. "You have a lovely face and a soft voice. Even when wearing a boy uniform, you look like a girl. I figured you didn't like wearing skirts so much that you resorted to wearing the boys uniform." Confessed Hinata.

There was a moment of silence between them before they let out a series of giggles. "Wow, that's kind of funny now that I think about it." Haku said. It didn't bother him now that he knew the truth. He was just glad to have the friends he had now.

"I agree. So what was it you wanted to say?" Hinata said as she commenced eating her lunch.

"Coincidentally, it had something to do with the whole boy to girl misconception." Haku began as he shifted his legs. Anko found out by chance, but this time around, he planned to tell someone. He just needed to remind himself that Hinata was a good friend, and something like preferring to dress like a girl, would not ruin what they have. It would actually work for his favor if she originally viewed him as a girl to start out with. "You see…"

"Haku!" A voice said from afar. Looking up, both students saw Anko walking toward them. She wasn't alone. Walking alongside her was Zabuza Momochi; Haku's special friend. His eyes were set on Haku's as he walked.

Haku quickly grabbed Hinata's arm. "Hinata, could you please do me a favor."

"Sure."

"Could you still think of me as a girl?" Requested Haku as he stared at her seriously. His face was flaring red as he asked Hinata. His eyes were spiraling as his face was covered in sweat. He was beyond nervous. He was panicking from within and it was showing on his face. How exactly was he going to explain to Zabuza of his male uniform while keeping his secret, well a secret.

Just before they arrived, Hinata took Haku by the hand and told him to breath. Her sudden yet stern voice helped to relax both his mind and body as she spoke. "Okay. I'll do it."

"Guess who I found?" Anko said, as if it wasn't clear. Zabuza looked at Haku and his clothes before speaking.

"Haku. It's great to see you. And you are?" He turned his attention to Hinata who introduced herself to him. They all sat down together as they shared in the conversation. For now, Zabuza didn't comment on the uniform as they ate and talked peacefully. Zabuza even brought up some things from the chat-box as the flow of the conversation went smoothly. Anko told them of Zabuza's sudden popularity with the girls in his class and how he was confessed instantly upon his arrival. This bothered Haku a bit as Anko teased him about it. Hinata giggled along as she asked Zabuza how he met Haku.

As Zabuza told them, Haku started to recount the time they met as well. Haku was bored and had no one to talk to. An idea came to him to make an account online and talk to someone in the world wide web. He tried multiple sites and even sites he never heard of. The people there were weird as they would rapidly request his age, gender, contact information and so forth. There was this one site that he usually go to which had stories posted by other members. It was a site to showcase one's piece of work and it had the feature to host a public or private chat-box. There was always someone online when Haku logged in, but it would say "stepped out" in his status every single time. Despite his status, he would continue to post short stories and blogs in his account. It caught Haku's attention as he sent a private link to a chat-box he was hosting. He didn't expect the other person to respond immediately or at all, but he did.

Of course, he started off with the usual greeting of introduction. He provided his account name as well. The other person did the same though added for what reason Haku decided to message him. Haku told the truth of his curiosity and confusion.

Demonmist: I don't want to be bothered.

Snowchild: Sorry for bothering you.

Demonmist: You're not.

Snowchild: ?

Demonmist: You're not bothering me.

This started the endless conversation between the two as they continued and continued to type. Haku learned that Zabuza had a poor general view on people. In a sense, 'people suck'. They were not to be trusted and a problem for the world. Of course Haku gave his thought in the matter. He told this 'stranger' of his experience in elementary school and part of middle school that included being isolated and bullied by his own classmates. Even so, he was really happy.

Demonmist: Happy? They hurt you. Physically and emotionally.

Snowchild: It made me realized what I really want from them.

Demonmist: What is that?

Snowchild: Friends. [insert smiley face]

Demonmist: You're an idiot. : ) (That's how you put a smiley face)

Snowchild: Thank you. : )

The conversation continued and eventually, Haku brought up the question. It was the second week since they started talking that Haku began to wonder.

Snowchild: Are we friends?

Snowchild: If not, that's okay…

Demonmist: You must be new to the whole friendship thing.

Demonmist: Because, it goes without saying.

Snowchild: Then please me my friend.

Demonmist: I said, "it goes without saying."

Snowchild: I still to want ask. I want to be sure. I don't want to assume something that isn't so. So, would you please be my friend.

Demonmist: Alright. Let's be friends.

Snowchild: Good. My name is Haku Yuki.

There was a rule within the website that stated that one shouldn't reveal their name or information to anyone. It was implemented to protect the members from potential danger, and despite it, Haku had forgotten that rule when he chatted with the person. After a minute of waiting for a response, the person finally replied.

Demonmist: Nice to meet you Haku. My name is Zabuza Momochi.

That was how they met all those years ago. It was truly wonderful as Haku remembered those times very well. After they ended their conversation, Haku was practically kicking his bed happily as he made a friend. Even if, it was through the web. He hugged his plush snow bunny doll tightly around his chest as he thought about Zabuza. He was a nice person though he can be blunt about things. That simply was the type of person Zabuza was, which Haku liked. They continued to share private messages with each other as Haku spent more time in the computer or phone. Noticing the speed in which Zabuza would respond, Haku decided to take some lessons in computer typing. It was a two course program that took place in a cram school. He attended once a week for 3 hours. Of course Zabuza noticed the difference. It was simply another thing they could talk about.

After Zabuza finished telling the story, Anko and Hinata were left breathless. Both girls were astonished by the story, along with his voice. Aside from the actual content of his story, his voice gave weight to the tale. Hinata, was tearing up by the joy. Miracle do exist. It happened for them both. While the girls tried to recover, Zabuza turned his attention to Haku who was chewing on his lunch.

"So, what's the deal with that uniform?" As expected, his voice broke through them all, especially Haku. Unsure on how to reply back, Haku dropped his head as his body stiffened up. He was hoping to be asked at a later time, instead of now.

"I…well be-"

"It's because I asked her to." Spoke Hinata. All eyes went on Hinata as she explained the situation. "You see, there's this boy I like and after reading through a numbers of Anko's collection of mangas, I figured I could get him to at look me if I'm with another boy. But… I'm not so good with other boys, so I came up with this idea. To get one of my friends to play the part. Haku was kind enough to accept." Hinata's face was burning red as she did her best to not overheat herself.

Zabuza chuckled from the story. "I see. Figures. You always try to help other before yourself." He did more, as he reached out and placed a strand of Haku's hair behind his ear. "Still, you look nice."

That ignited Anko's 'passion mode' as she began to draw a quick sketch. Lunch, for the most part, was delightful. They shared in the merriment along with their lunches, unaware of the two girls spying on them behind the glass windows by the left entrance.

oooOOOooo

-END

Author's Notes:

Well, there you have it. Onward to the next chapter! Let me know how I'm doing. -sorrowXdarkness