When Zabuza and Haku arrived at their destination, they hadn't expected it to be so.. clean.

The small clinic looked as if no one had left it in the first place, with seemingly fresh paint, and sturdy wooden steps leading up to a tiny porch. There were red roses planted beside the walls of the house, and a small sign with the business's hours was stuck sideways in the dirt beside the patch of flowers. A set of wind chimes hung from the porch's beams, clanging against each other in the morning breeze.

"It's nice," Haku commented, while ascending the short steps. Of course it was nice, for someone who had lived in the slums his entire life. No matter how clean the air was in other places, or how green the grass happened to be- nothing could erase the scents of the sick lining the streets in a jagged line, or the dirt and grime that was so thick that it would never wash away. He shuddered slightly, and gave the door a nudge. Unsurprisingly, they'd found this place first.

"Holy shit," Zabuza said.

And holy shit was right.

If this game was a lottery, they'd just hit the jackpot. The house was full of everything they'd need to last for the next two days. Half of the cottage was a joint kitchen and living room, complete with a stove, sink, fridge, and cabinets stocked to the brim with food. Just like the owners had never left. A tacky looking couch was between the dinner table and the kitchen cabinets, but it wasn't like they had any time to relax.

While Haku dug through the cabinets, Zabuza checked out the other two rooms. A bedroom the size of a broomcloset, and the basic exam room that every clinic had.

"Haku, come look at this. If any fucker even gives us the tiniest scratch, we're all set," The relief was apparent in his voice. Haku followed him into the next room, smiling when he assessed their new discovery. Zabuza was right; there was everything. He couldn't believe it, for once in their lives, they'd gotten lucky. Food, a bed, medical supplies, what more could they ask for?

The room had all of the bare basics; cabinets full of first aid supplies, medical instruments, a cot, and some other complicated machines and equipment that they probably wouldn't need.

"I didn't have a doubt that we would win before, but I know for sure that we'll win this." Zabuza's lips twitched into an almost smile, something between a smirk and a gape.

"I didn't have a doubt either," Haku returned the smile, and turned to Zabuza with his arms crossed. "Now, how about you and I have some lunch? You're going to need to eat if you plan on taking down our enemies."

A rough chuckle escaped Zabuza's lips. "Go ahead, I have no objections. You don't have a choice, anyway." Haku left him alone, with his usual perfect obedience. He didn't seem to notice how Zabuza's dark eyes had trailed down the skirt that clung to his wide hips. Some things were better off not being known, after all.

For as long as he could remember, Haku obeyed. He felt such a great gratitude towards Zabuza, that he wouldn't dare step out of line.

Zabuza wanted him to to beat someone up? He'd do it in a heartbeat. Zabuza needed money? Haku would do whatever it took to make sure he had it. There wasn't a thing in the world he wouldn't do for him. He only hoped that Zabuza knew that to be true.

Haku wandered back into the kitchen and started digging out various pots and pans but when he reached towards the sink and turned the knob, not a single drop of water came out. He raised an eyebrow, and tried again. Nothing.

"Zabuza?" He called out, while pushing the knob again in frustration.

"What do you want now?" Clearly, Zabuza was too invested in exploring to care. Oh well, let him have his fun.

"Do these houses have electricity? Or water?"

"Eh, probably not. Knowing those bastards in charge, we won't have any of that here." That was to be expected. They wouldn't give anyone such an easy advantage. Whoever was in charge WANTED them to be put in a situation where they'd have to fight for necessities. It was the harsh truth.

Haku tapped his finger against his chin in thought. "I'll have to go fetch some water later. We can put off lunch for now, because you need to rest and I'm not leaving you here alone." Zabuza emerged moments later and went to sit on the couch, carrying his pack against his shoulder.

"Well, aren't you being useful? Taking first watch and everything." He smirked. God that smirk. It was enough to melt Haku's worries away one by one. As long as he had Zabuza, life would be alright. Together, they were unstoppable; and he didn't want to to think about what it would be like if they were apart.

"That's my purpose, to serve you. If I were to let you stray into a dangerous situation, that would be selfish of me." Haku admitted, playing with his fingers nervously. Zabuza chuckles again and pats the seat beside him, motioning for Haku to join. He tries to keep a stotic face when he joins him, but he feels like a giddy schoolgirl- and looks like one too.

One of Zabuza's hands is draped across his sword, and the other is slowly drifting over to Haku to pull him closer. Like always, he smells like the sea. Like home.

"Zabuza," he scolds.

"Sometimes it's easy to forget that you're a man," Zabuza is almost somber. It's really unusual of someone who reeks of masculinity and is the literal definition of strength. That doesn't invalidate his words though. Or make their true meaning any less depressing.

"My gender doesn't matter. Man or woman, I'll stay with you." Change is something Haku can't comprehend, and simply doesn't want to. He can't imagine a life where he isn't sleeping in alleyways and dreaming of a man who prefers the company of women. It's his debt, and Haku doesn't break a promise.

"You're real funny.. You talk like a woman, you dress like a woman. You might as well be one." Zabuza snorts again. He starts to slouch, indicating just how exhausted he really is. Hiding something from Haku was borderline impossible. Haku smiles, just barely, and guides the other man's head into his lap.

"Shh, go to sleep. You deserve it."

"Mhm. You take good care of me, y'know?" That earns him a smile.

"I know," Just like that, Zabuza nods off, and is fast asleep in his lap, with his face buried in the folds of Haku's bloodstained skirt. For now, seeing him at peace is a sort of sign. A sign that maybe things aren't so bad after all.

In some ways, he is his savior, in other ways, he's the complete opposite. Admitting it isn't something Haku will easily do, but he's obsessed with Zabuza to the point where he can't function without his presence. Around most, Zabuza is cold and uncaring, much like a seasoned assassin. Yet, Haku knows his true intentions. They've lived together for years, of course he knows him better than anyone else. Zabuza is kind, loving, caring, he could go on and on.

But the world isn't a kind place. He hasn't seen him smile in ages. Sometimes he wonders if Zabuza will ever truly smile again, from underneath that mask. Not just smirks and occasional twitches, he wants to see the real thing. Pushing aside his wish, Haku pushes the hair out of his eyes and leans back on the couch, careful not to move his legs too much so he won't stir Zabuza. It's uncomfortable, but he doesn't mind.

He just wonders how long this will last.


When both Sasuke and Naruto wake up, they begin traveling again. The forrest is deadly quiet, save for their own footsteps against the dirt. Every other creature seems to have gotten some sense and hidden themselves. Sasuke only wishes he could hide from all this, but he presses on. They've barely slept or eaten, and he's basically dragging along by now. That wouldn't be so bad, if it wasn't just day one. Two more days of this hell.. he doesn't know if he'll be able to stand it.

The only thing giving him the will to go on is currently lagging behind him, yawning and rubbing his fluffy blonde mess of hair. He doesn't know why he wants to protect Naruto so much, it just comes naturally to him. Like he's the only thing he has left. They aren't covering much distance, but that's alright as long as they're hidden. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke sees his best friend pull a bottle out of his bag, and chug the whole thing down faster than the Flash. A minute or so later, he pokes him.

"Sasuke."

"..."

"I need water, can we find someplace to get some?"

"No." He shakes his head and quickens his pace. Stopping now would make them an even bigger target. That would just be asking for it.

"But I'm thirsty.." Now Naruto was whining. Damn, he knew his weaknesses well.

"You just drank that whole bottle! You don't need any more."

"Yeah I do, cmon Sasuke." Even though he protests, Sasuke doesn't even bat an eye. He's stubborn, but so is Naruto.

"No."

"But Sasuke!"

"No." With every rejection, Naruto pokes him again and again, like a needy little child. And when Sasuke finally turns around to give him a nasty look, he's giving him the puppy dog eyes.

"Please, I'm sooo thirsty!"

"Alright.. Alright," Sasuke sights and rubs his forehead in frustration. "If you'll shut up, I'll help you find some. We have time." Instead of heading near the shore, they have to go back into those godforsaken woods. He's already starting to hate the smell of pine.

Little did they know, two others had the exact same thing in mind.


Two hours later, Haku takes Zabuza to the stream a few meters behind their new hideout. It's easy to spot, not hidden behind any trees, and pretty much in broad daylight. They have no worries though, because Zabuza has the throat cleaver on him, and Haku had a bag of needles strapped to his side. They're fine, for now. Haku would've just braved it alone, but much to his joy, Zabuza accompanied him this time.

The first thing he does when he gets there is dip his face into the crystal clear water, feeling the blood stains and mud wash away into the crystalline liquid without a trace. It's cold, but it's far better than the humid air that comes with the afternoon. The reflection Haku sees is almost unrecognizable at first, even though he knows that the mirror gazing back at him is none other than the despicable man he's become in a matter of hours.

His long, chocolate colored hair cascades to his waist in ripples, but the ends are fraying due to the blood caked in them. His hair was always his best feature, and now it makes him look wild, and almost feral. Dark circles rim the corners of his eyes, complete with the remnants if old makeup. He always did like to look pretty. Not even for his own sake, just mostly Zabuza's. He became a better asset if he was nicer to look at.

His lips are dry, and have lost their usual endearing pout. Haku decides he doesn't like the man he sees in the river, and so he takes his old mask out of his pocket and slips it on. Red and white aren't really his colors anymore, yet he can't seem to abandon the old mask he wore during his days as an assassin. For some reason, clients liked a little boy who was easily disposable.

"Are you going to fill the damn bucket up or what?" Zabuza demands, watching him from afar. Haku bows in apology and picks up the old bucket he found lying in the house, and dips it into the fresh water. Unbeknownst to both of them, a certain pink haired girl has crept up behind them and snuck into the clinic while they weren't looking. Zabuza mutters something and goes back to trying to get all the blood off his clothes, while Haku fills buckets.

A crunch from behind them snaps them both into reality quickly, and Zabuza reaches for his sword faster than Haku can even open his mouth to warn him of danger. Zabuza lets out a deranged laugh, one of the ones that only slips out while he's truly bloodthirsty. Haku swallows dryly, knowing a bloodbath awaits them.

"Well well well, if that little Uchiha brat didn't come straight to me? I was just itching to kill you."

The Uchiha boy only smirks at them. "How funny, I was just itching to kill you too ever since I heard your name being called last night."

"Why I oughta.." Zabuza swings his massive sword blindly, but Sasuke jumps back and Haku places one of his hands on his arm to steady him.

"Calm down, I'll handle this one," He whispers, reaching down to his waist to unzip his arsenal. "I'm not afraid of an Uchiha." Naruto growls when he hears this, but Sasuke keeps a steady grip on his arm to hold him back as well.

None of them are aware that they're being watched by a pair of emerald eyes.


33 students remaining.


Author's note: Don't really have an excuse for a short chapter, but I appreciate the reviews! 3