Chapter 2 - Father

Haku felt like he was going to faint at any second how badly his nerves were on edge. Every step felt like a mile. Every tiny noise echoed through his head making it sound like drums banging on his temples. His hands fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt as he made his way up the cement steps leading to the front door of his home.

Neji had parked his uncle's mercedes behind his father's four-by-four, and he remained in the vehicle, music blarring, while he waited for Haku to speak to his father and to return with the credit card. "Take your time." Neji had said, reclining the seat and settling his feet on the steering wheel, looking comfortable and relaxed.

The exact opposite of what Haku was feeling.

Once in front of the door he took in a deep breath, trying to calm down his pacing heart. Hesitantly, he took the doorknob and turned it, pushing open the door. He really didn't want to go inside, but he knew he had no choice. Neji was right. He'd have to tell his father the truth eventually. Why had he decided to do this again? Oh, right. To be able to be true to himself.

Why couldn't he have been born with the right genitalia...?

"Hey, daddy." He called out to his father, making his way to the workshop where he knew his father would be working on one of his new weapons. A butcher by day, a blacksmith by night. Zabuza truly loved his knives and other pointy objects.

He was still huddled over his baby, kubikiribocho, or as Haku liked to call it, the really long, scary knife-killing-thing his father rarely left out of his sight. The only thing Zabuza took care of more than the sword was Haku himself.

"Hey, there. Back already?" Zabuza wiped off his forehead with a nearby rag and turned to face his son, the smile on his lips showing his pointed teeth.

"Neji and I are going to go shopping. He's waiting in the car outside." Haku started hesitantly, avoiding meeting his gaze.

"Do you need money? My wallet's on the table. I don't have cash, but you can take my credit card." Zabuza said breezily, as if he gave his son his credit card all the time. It wasn't often that Haku asked for money, but when he did, Zabuza was ready to give it. He trusted his son not to waste it on pointless things. Haku was responsable and intelligent, and Zabuza knew that of anybody in his entourage, Haku would be the last one to max out his credit card. Although his fascination for shoes did take up all the money Haku made from his part-time job...

How many pairs of shoes does one person need ayways? Zabuza never got it, but Haku worked for the money and could spend it on what he wanted.

"Thanks, daddy."

Zabuza stared at his son, wondering why he wasn't leaving (he had the okay to go shopping, he should have already been out the door). He waited patiently as Haku forced himself to look him in the eye. He frowned. There was something more to this, and his stress increased, easing only when Haku finally spoke.

His eyes dropped to the floor again, "Do you want to know what I'm going to get?" The words didn't come out easily, but now that he'd started he knew that he wouldn't be able to leave without explaining everything. Now came the hard part.

"What are you going to get?"

He parted his lips, but no words came out. He couldn't say it. How could he tell his very much manly father that he wanted to go buy women's clothing? Clothing that he wanted to wear on a daily basis? How could he ever look him in the eyes again if he were to tell him that?

"What is it, Haku?" Zabuza asked, stepping towards his son. He put a hand on his shoulder, but Haku still wouldn't meet his gaze. "Talk to me."

"I was thinking about getting some clothes. Maybe-maybe a couple skirts, and perhaps a dress, and maybe some heels or something. You know how much I love my shoes. I mean, if that's okay with you."

"Oh." Zabuza stared at his son, and Haku continued to look at the ground. He didn't want to see his father's facial expression. Didn't want to see what he was feeling. Or thinking.

"Yeah..." He muttered into the silence that hovered around them.

"Well, okay then. Have fun."

"What?" Haku said and thought. He'd just put everything out there and all his father had to say was 'have fun'? Did he not understand what he'd been told?

"I've always known you were different Haku. To be honest, I thought you were just gay, but if wearing the skirts and stuff is what you think will make you happy; well, who am I to judge?"

"You're my father."

"Exactly. Parents don't judge their children."

Against his best efforts not to, Haku burst into tears. It was a giant relief to hear his father say such a thing. He thought being accepted by his friend made him happy, but knowing that even his father -the butcher, the blacksmith, the manliest man he knew- would support him in his choice, he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by joy.

Zabuza wrapped his arms around his son, bringing him into a hug. Haku cried, his tears soaking his shirt, but he waited, rocking him gently. Zabuza understood that it wasn't easy for his son to come out to him, but he was glad he had. He was glad that he would be able to be there for his son. To support him and to love him like he truly deserved.

Haku slowly stopped crying, and he slowly pulled back. He stared at Zabuza and smiled brightly at him, but it faded within a moment, "Are you sure about this?"

To answer him plainly, Zabuza planted a kiss upon his child's forehead, "Go have fun with your friend. Buy what you need and limit yourself to only two pairs of shoes."

"Thank you!" The smile came back, this time staying. "I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, son."

Haku couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he went to the kitchen and riffled through his father's wallet. The credit card jumped out at him, and he took it carefully, treating it like the most precious thing in the world. Time for some serious shopping. What a great way to spend a saturday. Especially since he was shopping with his best friend, his gay best friend (gotta be fashionable), whom accepted him and would be willing to help him buy women's clothing with his father's credit card.

He almost skipped to the car, feeling light and bubbly. It was a good day.

Opening the passenger door and sitting down was what brought Neji out of his tranquil state. His feet were still propt up, and he'd been resting his eyes while listening to the radio. He sat down normally and turned to smile at his friend. He knew it had gone well by the smile on Haku's face. And by the credit card he was waving at him.

"Good to go?" He asked to be sure.

"Time for some shopping."

AN: Hello. Anyone surprised that I made Zabuza Haku's foster father? Not that surprising, but I've always loved their interaction. They're totally adorable together. And by the way, there will of course be some ItaNeji in this. I just can't not write them together. I would be ashamed of myself otherwise. Other pairings are to be determined. Ideas for friends for these two guys are still welcomed!

I'd like to thank EatEmUp for reviewing! Thank you very much!

Thank you for reading,
-MewMew