A/N: Thanks again to Crystaline-Crimson and Ichiwa Utachi! Kudos to people that review! Ahem, now onto chapter three, this one has some graphic material (violence, some hinted sex) so if you don't like that I beg you to stop reading now!
Warning: This story contains yaoi (boy x boy) romance. If you don't go for it, don't read it.
Disclaimer: I don't claim to own Naruto nor do I.
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Bulbs in the tilting overhead lights flickered and twitched on and off. Buzzing and snapping until some finally burnt out. It left the stretched hallway with a hollow, shallow, and cold feeling. Darkness now loomed more and more onto the tiled flooring until ceasing at the doubled pairs of feet that blocked it.
The duo kept walking and barely acknowledged the shadow that seemed to follow them down their path. It crept along each tiled square, sometimes tapping the clonking sandals of the younger boy. He, however, had no interest in the possible shadow technique of another ninja. His only goal was to protect and serve his master. Now more than ever.
His sensei was used to this kind of loyalty after all the long years of being with his now teenaged weapon. Yet he had been distant from the boy since their incident in the Sakura. He had his reasons for it: punishment in a way, isolation, and a few other hidden reasons that he didn't make so obvious to the younger ninja.
Still the more experienced fighter noticed something different in his companion today. A feeling of determination…False determination. He was hiding something from not only his master but their new employers. Of course. It was his weakness that few could see. His wounds had not yet healed, perhaps they were worse since the boy refused to rest. After all the flashes of that point of helplessness he was still walking upright and preparing to obey any command. He hid these pains from all as to remain a solid wall of strength.
Tapping ceased as the two stopped before a large door. Quiet hints of chatter and laughing came from behind it. Several sounds of glass breaking and men joking about this and that. It was almost sickening that such a strong duo had to work for low life losers like these.
"Wait here." Zabuza's voice whispered.
"Yes." Haku uttered from beneath his mask.
The door was opened as the taller man stepped inside, closing the heavy bulk behind him. His tool only staying dead silent and awaiting any signs of trouble within the seemingly large room. His body almost arching as he prepared for a single whisper of command.
Nothing.
Laughter inside had stopped and low talks of planning and payment had taken its place. The rogue ninja telling these worthless morons how everything was going to happen. He would be in full control of the entire operation to assassinate the newly appointed leader that would heading into the misty realms. He had everything set from finding the dead man to payment. It seemed that the employers had nothing to argue about the arrangements.
"Payment in full when you return."
Haku clearly made out the final sentence as the door racked open, his sensei standing before him.
He only shot a look at the boy before turning to face the group of men.
"Oh and my partner will be staying here to keep you company. Make friends."
The white bandages that hid his face crinkled as he smirked beneath them. His deep eyes narrowing at the group that could possibly know that things wouldn't go according to plan.
He turned back to Haku, stepping out into the hallway. His pace stopping beside the boy as his weapon moved forward towards the room.
"Don't kill them until I get back." He warned.
"Yes sir."
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Dark glares were shot from the men that sat throughout the large room. Even those who sat at the small bar stared into the mirrors to see the young ninja who sat in front of the door. His or her back unmoved, upright and proper. Their head not even budging to look at the perhaps uncared about surroundings.
Unknown to them, this powerful warrior had already searched the room with his eyes. The slits of the mask never showing them his focused gems but all the while he darted them to see exactly how many there were to take out. So far: ten.
"So how'd a kid like you get caught working for that chump, Zabuza?"
One of the idiots broke the silence as he smudged his cigarette into the ashtray. Smoke smell finally leaving the already stuffy room. His question remained unanswered as the "company" kept silent.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Another rough looking man spoke as he leaned back in his chair. A kunai spinning around his finger, his lips smirking as if he thought about starting a fight with the almost too frail looking teenager.
'Whip!'
Sure enough the once spinning knife sliced the air with a whisper. It's sharpened blade stopping mere inches from Zabuza's fellow worker. His hand steady as he held it's handle firmly. Not even a shake from his finger was made as he placed the kunai on his lap.
"I don't work for him."
"It's a chick? No way! That bastard has a sweet little teenaged girl with him."
Snickers and laughter howled in the room after hearing Haku's feminine voice speak. The loud group continued their unnecessary comments and slurs towards him.
Normally he was fine with people confusing him with a girl. Only because the honestly had no idea what else to think. He was small, fragile looking, pretty in a way, and acted in a girlish manner. However he hated being classified as anything but a deadly weapon when it dealt with weaklings like these.
"To think Zabuza needed help. He just needs to get some so he keeps her around." One laughed.
"He's got okay taste. She's tall for her age, her hair's nice. Why don't you take off that mask and show us your face, sweetie?" A drunk man choked.
"Yeah take it off, along with the rest of your clothes!" The man who threw the kunai laughed.
Another stood, "Why don't we help her guys? We were going to take out that trash once he got back anyway, why don't we take his girl for a spin first?"
Haku gripped the kunai in his lap as more men chimed in. All standing as they pulled out weapons of their own.
Not good. I can still barely move. But I won't disappoint Zabuza-san. I may disobey his orders to wait but I'll accept punishment for that.
A sharp blade slid across a tall man's face before plowing itself into the wall behind him. The very same kunai he threw had been used against him. Maybe this girl had a few tricks up her sleeve after all.
He wiped the dripping blood from his cheek, smearing it onto his hand and further along his already scarred features. His broken teeth smiling as he pulled out yet another knife.
"Come to daddy."
His feet sparked from the ground as he appeared before the unsurprised masked ninja. The younger boy merely pressing the chair he once sat on against the older opponent. Woodchips and bark breaking away from the chair frame as they were dung into the slightly drunken man.
I can't fight hand-to-hand so I'll keep dodging and holding them back.
Two more men tried their luck at taking the girl down. Both sporting kunai and an odd colored tape. It seemed to be part of a snare…Maybe a holding bondage.
A punch landed against the struggling man that was held at bay by Haku's chair trap. The teen's fist returning from its punch, took the man's kunai and slammed a hole through the now torn snare.
The duo ninja simply tossed their weapons towards the fighter. The girl using their "friend" as a shield as she pushed him in front of her. Both tools cutting his damaged body.
"Surprise."
Haku ducked as a deep voice came from behind him. His throbbing feet slamming full force against the opposite fighter's legs. Taking both out from beneath him.
"Ah…" He kept quiet under his mask as he struggled to retrieve his own footing.
To late.
Two others he had not yet dealt with grasped his wounded arms. The single layer of tape beneath his kimono tore and draped out of his sleeve. His legs kicking and slamming against the men to no avail.
"Looks like Zabuza did a number on her, eh? She's got bruises."
They held her against the couch as the remaining unwounded fighters crowded around. All snickering and gloating about how easy of a target she was. Each putting in their two cents worth of rudeness and cruelty.
"Did he hurt you Sweetheart? Don't worry we'll be gentle with you…maybe."
Another man giggled as he tore off Haku's tracker mask. Exposing the beauty's ivory face and angered eyes. Some of his hair dangling in his face as it had escaped from his hairclip.
"Oh we got yourselves a good looking girl."
"She's pretty hot. He picked a ripe one."
Haku growled, "I'm not a…."
A hand slapped over his mouth as said tall man sat on the angered ninja's hips. His weight furthering the pain on the already hurt body. Small cries were heard from under the man's cupped hand.
"Why are you so scared, baby? I'm much better looking than that garbage that's usually doing you." He chuckled.
More laughing and cackling was heard throughout the room. Some even clinking glasses together in a toast that they "finally got a piece". Filthy dogs lightly twisting the long silky hair around their fingers.
Suddenly the "female" ninja jerked to the left, almost forcing the man atop to fall off and almost pulling the man that had her right arm captive to fly over the couch.
"Damn girl." The man attempted to situate himself.
"Ah…" She growled as she managed to pull her wrist free from the still surprised ninja that once held her strained arm.
"Ahg!"
A choking gasp was echoed throughout the now silent room as a senbon needle had been jabbed into the tall man's neck. His eyes straining, neck pulsing from pain, and his mouth completely open.
Soon the scream stopped as he fell from his position. Dead.
Haku snarled lightly once more before attempting an escape from the couch prison. It failed as his still held arm was jerked to the floor. Now he risked being killed instead of raped. Swarms of kicks and punches befell him. His free arm doing its best to block the flying attacks.
"Ah!"
Another scream was heard but not from Haku's attack. No. It was from his own mouth as someone slammed their jagged teeth into his neck. His shoulders kept down firmly by the man's large hands, his legs restrained by the enemies. A paralyzing numbness filled his body as blood dripped onto the floor.
Zabuza-san…I have failed you.
A cough escaped his mouth as the man released him. His own blood splashed from the man's mouth and onto his smooth skin. The awaiting ninja laughing and preparing to do what they wished with his body.
If I do live…I might not be able to move again. I won't be of any use to you, Zabuza-san. You can't have a broken tool. I won't let you feel like I'm a burden. I'll find a way to rid you of myself.
A kunai sliced through his thick obi. Tatters of it fell beside him and to the awaiting men's feet. His eyes were only able to move themselves to see the falling slips of fabric. His body still motionless and in pain.
"Not much of a chest…."
The man prepared to slide off the green kimono top but was stopped by another who tapped him on the shoulder.
"What is it?"
"Look."
He turned to see the room's door open, a thick mist pouring in from the outside.
"Maybe the mist got in and open the door?"
"I doubt it. It would have had to have gotten all the way down the hallway and…"
"….Then what caused it?"
"You'll never know."
An enormous blade sliced through the ever growing mist. Cutting, slicing, and shredding everything and everyone it touched. All the once overpowering ninja fell to their death, lifeless corpses decorating the floor.
Again Haku felt the growing agony in his heart. He knew well who had saved him once again from dieing. That precious person who he had sworn to protect was now saving him when it wasn't needed. He didn't want him to have to come to the rescue! He wanted to be the weapon that served his master. Not be a useless, worthless, in-the-way person.
A tear slid from his face as he began to feel his body returning to a moveable state. His arms slowly regaining feeling and his legs enabling themselves to bend. The bruises, cuts, bites, and scrapes were no match in pain for the assured punishment that was coming for him.
Only he couldn't accept a mere punishment this time. He had screwed up once and had greatly appreciated that his master went more than easy on him. Now he had not only messed up their plan but also he had shown his failure to be a perfect weapon.
He sat up, holding his arms with every bit of strength to keep himself sitting up. They remained wobbly and hurt as he choked back cries. His left leg pushing itself to a bend as he tried to stand.
He couldn't.
"Ah…Ah…" More tears escaped as he angrily cursed them within his heart.
The familiar large blade was planted beside him as his sensei knelt to look at him. His eyes unmoved as he began to oddly tug lightly at his bandages. No intent to rip them but for some reason he kept at it.
Haku suddenly felt a firm arm wrap around his shoulder, an attempt to lift him was made. However he declined and pulled away from his master. His arm nearly collapsing against the wooden boards he sat upon.
An angry hold was placed around his chin as he was forced to look at his sensei. A look of rage and depth was given as he stared at the frightened boy.
"If I put my hands on you, you will NOT pull away from me. Understand?"
A poorly hidden tear slipped past Haku's chin, "Zabuza-san I'm of no use to you anymore. I failed and I'm not worthy. I could never ask your forgiveness again after the way I messed up. Please just leave me to die. I…"
"You're not worthy when I say you aren't. You still belong to me and you'll obey me, got it?"
His grip on the teenager ceased as he once again cradled the younger boy in his arms. A few sniffles and sighs were heard as Haku still exposed his feelings. His heart aching to finally tell Zabuza that he felt like a used up piece of trash. He wasn't worthy, he couldn't even protect his most valued person, and yet he felt selfish for wanting to stay with the older man.
"Be quiet, Haku."
"Yes Zabuza-san."
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A/N: A long but great chapter. Well I think so. You think I'd let those losers rape poor Haku-kun? Never! Zabuza-san to the rescue! Tell me what you thought, leave a review.