Alright, chapter 9 is done. There will be confrontation in this chapter. -sorrowxdarkness

Chapter 9

oooOOOooo

Haku took his seat as he waited for the rest of the gang. Hinata offered to buy some sweet breads by the school cafeteria store for their group, leaving Haku to ponder. The more he pondered, the more his heart ached to learn the truth. No more reading over what he remembered. There was a chance he recorded the moment in his head all wrong. If so, then what? What did you think Zabuza? Was my appearance that apparent that no amount of cloaking could prevent you from seeing what lurked below?

"What did you think about me wearing that dress?" Haku finally said out loud, knowing no one was there to catch it. It was through this pretense that Haku willfully voiced his thoughts.

"Honestly, I was astonished."

Haku's eyes widened when he realized he wasn't alone. The moment he presented his question to the open field, Zabuza entered the area. He figured Haku somehow knew of his presence and took the chance of them being alone to ask Zabuza a question. He was met with a surprised Haku that whipped his head up to cast a dark and frightened look. He resembled a deer in the middle of a road, petrified by the lights cast by Zabuza's eyes.

"Is that good?" Whispered Haku. His heart was roaring to leave as Haku's legs failed to receive the message. The messenger was struck down midway with the content all, but gone. Somehow his legs trembled in excitement as Haku continued to plant his posterior on the ground. He kept his hands together as his fingers became rigid as to not move.

Hearing his question confirmed Zabuza about Haku's self-esteem. It was low; below the pit that currently resided Haku's confidence. Why? Haku did strike Zabuza as someone reserved yet curious. Who dug that pit and forceful placed Haku inside, unable to climb himself out? Looking down at Haku with whom was avoiding his gaze, Zabuza brought his hand toward his cheeks. "Why are you like this?" Zabuza really wanted to know.

"Hm?"

"You're beautiful. Your skin is pale, but fair." He pinched his cheek before making his way to his strands of hair that fell in front of his face. "Your hair is long and silky." He slid his fingers down until they arrived at their destination. He felted the skin, now detached from Haku's black hair, as he felt the soft and supple lips. "When I saw you with that dress yesterday, you left me speechless. If I could be honest, I felt my heart leaping."

Haku was surprise, but more than that, he was beyond happy. Zabuza actually liked what he saw. To hear that his heart leaped when he saw him rose Haku's confidence. As he felt Zabuza's touch on his lips, he let out a soft gasp. Zabuza was in front of him, caressing his lips. Haku couldn't help but to close his eyes. He allowed it to continue as everything else became of no importance.

Zabuza understood Haku's actions as he continued, with the thought of pressing his chapped thin lips over Haku's. Tempting as that sound, he held himself firmly. Eventually, he ended the affection with a pat on Haku's head. No more. As Zabuza turned away, Haku felt disappointed. In truth, he wanted him to continue that gesture. Even so, Haku was far too shy to ever mention it.

Although it didn't seem like it, Zabuza was using all of his powers to regain control of his heart that was beating rapidly. Where are those other two girls, he was wondering.

"Um…so can I ask you something?"

Zabuza's eyes returned to Haku as Haku began to fidget with his fingers.

"Sure."

Haku took in a big breath and exhaled. As he spoke, his eyes were closed shut.

oooOOOooo

"I'm sorry…what?" Anko asked as she stood before a friend of hers. The conversation was going smoothly as they began chatting about a television program they both liked. Everything seemed to be the same, until Yumi began asking about the new student. Even then, it didn't seem unusual. She asked how did she get so close to him so fast. There was no reason to keep that part a secret, so she explained to her friend that Zabuza was a friend of a friend in their school. It was then that things went completely 180 degrees. Yumi asked if Anko could just not be near Zabuza again.

"I said, could you please not hang out with Zabuza?"

"What is this about?" Anko couldn't understand what was going on. She knew Yumi very well since the fifth grade.

"I believe she said please." A new voice said, as Kagura appeared walking toward them. Anko and Kagura never saw eye to eye, but Anko usually ignored whatever the other girl said. It didn't matter to her if she was never invited to the cool kids table, or their parties or even their circle. To her, it amounted to nothing. Still, that didn't make Kagura any less annoying.

"This have nothing to do with you." Anko stated as she redirected her attention to Yumi.

"On the contrary, it has everything to do with me. You see, I have taken quite the interest in the new student and it came to my attention that he has been hanging out with people beneath him."

Anko listened as the most popular and most obnoxious girl continued with her ranting. Upon completion, Anko crossed her arms and gave a firm look at the girl standing before her. "I see now."

"You do? Wonderful. Maybe there is a brain within that hea-"

"You're jealous."

Kagura's face, which was the very embodiment of calm and composed, became filled with anger and aggression.

"You're jealous because he's not interested in you. Must really hurt that ego of yours."

It wasn't a surprise to see Yumi stepping away from the two girls. Kagura snapped her fingers as two of her goons came walking toward them. Anko's eyes shifted to Yumi's as the shy girl left the class.

"Is there something wrong?"

Both girls were surprised to see their teacher walking in. Usually the teacher would take her sweet time returning to class; arriving at the very latest. Somehow, that very same teacher managed to arrive at the perfect time before something did happen between them.

"No, of course not. We were simply having a pleasant conversation. Right?" Kagura asked, her face returned to its usually facade. The other two girls returned to their seat and pretended to talk among themselves. The crisis was averted.

"Right. I have to go though." Anko said before bowing to her teacher. As she walked, she made sure to up the pace. Haku need to know this, Anko thought. Unknown to the girl, Kagura stared at her fleeting figure.

oooOOOooo

-END

Author's Notes:

I managed to finish this chapter. Please let me know how I'm doing. So far Kagura hasn't taken any solid action against Haku, but she will soon enough. The next chapter will focus on Hinata and I hope you will like it. See you soon! -sorrowXdarkness