Konnichi wa!
YAY! FIRST FLASHBACK! XD
I'm so glad you guys were excited about the sequel!
Please enjoy!
Promises Not Made Are Promises Never Kept
Flashback One – Sleep
Kunai flew through the trees, slicing apart multiple branches as they sought their prey.
"Come ON, boy…" the gruff voice echoed through the trees. "You're going to have to fight me SOMETIME or another."
A mocking laugh rang through the trees.
"When I'm ready, Zabu-kun…"
"Argh – you little brat!"
The huge sword barreled into the trees and a small gasp was heard as the other bolted, barely managing to dodge the blade.
"Haku – NOW!"
Needles flew – some were dodged.
Most struck.
With a grunt, a small shape collapsed onto the ground, breathing hard.
Zabuza and Haku walked forward. Haku had a smile on his face as he kneeled down next to the other.
"Impressive, dear one. Only a few weeks and you've improved greatly."
Black orbs slowly opened, half-dazed but relaxed. He didn't move.
"Really?" The soft voice asked. Zabuza took a step forward this time, his sword slung over his shoulders.
"Yes, now get up brat – it's time we headed back."
With a barely distinguishable nod, the youngest one in the group shifted, and managed to stand without Haku's assistance. Wincing, he yanked a needle out of his shoulder.
"A little more brutal than usual, wouldn't you say, Haku?" He snarled, his voice having the hint of playfulness that he knew Haku would without doubt pick up. Haku smiled as they walked.
"You're getting better. I must match that."
As they walked, Sasuke stopped and looked up at the sky.
Haku noticed this and turned.
"What is it, dear one?" He asked. Sasuke didn't reply for a moment, gazing upwards.
"It might snow tonight," he murmured.
I want to see snow. I want to see it –
Haku looked skywards as well, surveying the clouds. He gave a small smile – the youngest of the group was learning how to read the weather.
"You may be right…" he breathed. A moment of comfortable, thoughtful silence passed between them, and Haku looked away from the heavens and back to Sasuke, who was still gazing upwards, lost in his own thoughts. He stretched out a hand.
"Come, dearheart," he murmured gently, taking Sasuke's hand and interlacing their fingers. "Zabuza is getting ahead."
The Uchiha's gaze shot to him and black orbs glared, but he didn't pull away. Haku felt joy swell within his heart. It had been four weeks since they had taken Sasuke under their wing, and the Uchiha had rejected any sort of physical contact outside of training with ferocious dislike.
But now – thanks to Haku's gentle, persistent pushing, his fingers were warm in Haku's own. The older of the two smiled at the younger, who was now refusing to meet his eyes – Haku could see the faintest of blushes on the smaller cheeks.
"Let's go home."
They were in the makeshift cabin now, Haku making tea and Sasuke on a couch Zabuza had stolen previously, grimly yanking the needles out of his flesh as Zabuza doctored the wounds he couldn't reach, his fingers surprisingly gentle along Sasuke's bare skin.
He winced as the last bandage was tightened.
"Haku will disinfect them later," the assassin said blankly as Haku handed Sasuke a cup of steaming tea.
"Yes Zabuza-san – after he finishes."
Quietly, Sasuke drank the herbal tea, already knowing the other had a put a sleeping draught in it – on Zabuza's orders.
"He's unstable and you know it, Haku," Zabuza told the other, whose fists were clenched in disbelief – distaste. "The massacre of his clan might have had something to do with it – hell, it was probably the CAUSE of it – but we can't afford to take any chances. The boy's suicidal, Haku – we both know that – you've seen the scars on his arms. We're lucky he hasn't tried to do it again recently."
"But, still…" Haku breathed. "He doesn't trust us enough as it is – I don't want him to hate us."
"You don't want him to hate YOU," Zabuza corrected immediately. "I know Haku, I know. But something HAS to be done. If we wake up one morning and find him dead, what was the point of allowing him a second chance in the first place?"
"Still," Haku insisted. "Zabuza-san, it seems so wrong. I don't want to betray him like that!"
"You're doing it to protect him, Haku. You're not betraying him – honestly."
"It feels like it though."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed and he took the cup from his lips for one moment, but then continued to drink, closing his eyes.
Sasuke looked at the tea, steam rising up into his face. His face was surprisingly calm as he spoke.
"I know what you put into this tea."
Haku's eyes widened and Zabuza's own narrowed, but Sasuke didn't look up at either of them. His eyes narrowed – like Zabuza's – but unlike the assassin, the corners of those eyes burned.
"Dear one –"
"Thank you," he murmured, barely coherent, before he began to drink.
Haku's eyebrows furrowed as he surveyed the smaller boy.
"Dearheart…"
Sasuke ignored him.
I want to change. I really do. I want to stop – I know it isn't healthy. I just had no other way to distract myself from the pain. Maybe this will help me…
Three hours later, he was asleep, and not once did the thought of a blade across his skin ever cross his mind, even in dreams – as it had so often done previous to his kidnapping.
And when he awoke, he was snug in the blankets of the bed Zabuza and Haku shared – the other two had made beds on the couch and floor.
He saw no movement on the other two's parts as he crept to the door, peaking into the main room to see them sleeping soundly.
The corners of his eyes began to burn again –
"Thank you," he breathed before turning and crawling back into the bed, falling asleep again nearly instantly.
For some reason, the combined smells of both Haku and Zabuza were comforting, and he found himself free of nightmares.
Maybe I CAN change…
Sasuke looked out the window as he drank, thinking.
I really should hate them.
But then Haku caught his eye and smiled and all hatred – if there ever was any – dissolved.
But I can't.
Zabuza settled next to him, rubbing his sword free of tree sap. He was warm against Sasuke's back, and the Uchiha closed his eyes.
They might be the family… he breathed in the smell of tea, unable to detect the smell of the sleeping draught. …that I never truly had.
He glanced to the window. His eyes widened.
"SNOW!"
End Flashback One – Sleep
-sigh-
I love this story.
And I have another one shot out! It's called Hotter in Copper. Please go see, yeah?
But the Chunin exams in this story are going to be hard to do.
BUT I'M GONNA DO IT! CHA! BELIEVE IT! –evil laughter-
Ahem – okay, I'm done. -.-;;
Please review!
Ja ne!
DDB
