Dusk: "I knew that I shouldn't have waited to update this story to long T-T. If you couldn't tell, there are no new reviews… TT-TT. It's all my fault; please forgive this author for not fulfilling her duties to provide timely updates. I will try harder in the future." (Bows down for forgiveness.)
Zi walks out and sees Dusk on floor: "I know you're not supposed to kick a lion when it's down but then again she's not a lion. (Kicks Dusk) You know that you have two E-mails, right?"
Dusk: "I have two E-mails? (Quickly opens E-mails) they're… they're reviews! So I'm not a complete failure after all!"
Zi: "I wouldn't say that."
Dusk: "Ungrateful creation. Oh well, I do have some lovely shout outs to do. Many thanks go out to fennecfox03 and Incarnate009. Thank you for your lovely reviews. (Author looks around.) Where's Zabuza? He was here last time."
Zi: "I sold him on EBay. You know how rabid fangirls are… you want to go get some Ramen with the money I got for him?"
Dusk shrugs shoulders: "Sure. See you guys next chapter."
Chapter Twelve
The serenity of the grave site gave me some time to reflect on those last few weeks. I reflected about my feelings, why I did the things I did. I questioned my feelings the most. I never questioned my feelings about Haku; he was like a little brother to me, but Zabuza… Half of the time I wanted to kill Zabuza; the other half…
"Well I'm just not sure what the other half of me wanted to do," I looked down at the pair of graves.
The sun, as it usually did, rose in the east and the morning started, but not as it usually did. I was sitting in the observatory at the top of Gato's fortress. It was nice and quiet up there too, enough to allow me to think and I had a lot to think about.
Is he just messing me? He has to be, there's no way he could possible like me. Not with all he does to me. I mean he did try to kill me a little while ago. My mind drifted to last night, that hug had to be an attempt to throw me off guard and what he whispered into my ear was the icing on the cake.
'Maybe things aren't so different you than think,' his voice echoed in my head.
His touch was so warm and gentle; I didn't even feel any pain… WAIT! Don't fall for his tricks Zi! He really wants to kill you, I nodded my head, he's just trying to throw me off guard… then again… if he wanted to kill me; he could have just finished me off the other day. And if he truly wanted me dead; he wouldn't have brought me here for medical assistance… this is so emotionally tiring.
"Good morning Zi," Haku came up behind me, "you should still be in bed, resting."
"I thought that I was trained kunoichi could handle a few minor scrapes and bruises," I smirked.
"Well that's true," Haku sat down next to me on the couch. "But you really should be resting," he said in a more serious tone.
"Do I look like I'm doing anything," I answered in a sarcastic tone.
"No," he giggled. "We were about to have breakfast downstairs. That is just me and Zabuza, if you wanted to join us?"
My cheeks started to turn red. The real reason I had gone up to the observatory was to avoid Zabuza. I was still in conflict with my emotions about last night. On one hand I wanted to kill him for thinking that I would ever… be with him. And on the other, I wanted something to come from it… sort of.
"You look warm," Haku put his hand on my forehead, "are you feeling okay?"
I shook my head, "yeah, I just had a… a … umm…"
He looked at me with confusion, kind of like how I felt at the moment.
"Hey Haku, did you find that girl," Zabuza entered the observatory, "there you are," he smiled as he approached.
I turned my head, I couldn't look at him. I knew that my cheeks were still red and I didn't want him to see.
"Haku could you leave us alone for a minute," Zabuza asked.
"Of course," Haku bow and started to exited.
"Sure I don't need a witness or something," I asked towards the window.
He remained silent for a few moments but then, "the Demons Brothers are out there right now performing the job. I was originally going to have you do it, but then you were injured. So instead I have something else for you to do," he started to smile.
"I'm keeping my clothes on," I sighed. "And I'm injured," I added.
"Maybe later," he snickered, "I want you to investigate this place and find out as much as you can. Gato is watching Haku's and my movements all the time. He doesn't seem to trust me."
"I wonder why," I turned to him; my face was finally back to normal.
A smirk replaced his smile, "anyway, his 'affection' towards you has blinded him to the fact that you're still a ninja. That gives you an advantage when it comes to moving around this place," he narrowed his eyes, "assuming that you know how to gather information."
"Hmph, did you forget already," I matched his smirk, "I was trained to be a Hunter Ninja."
"Good, find out if Gato has a safe here and if it has anything of value," Zabuza looked out at the slowly rising sun.
"I'll start looking around after breakfast," I said as I slowly got up with a lot of pain.
Zabuza took hold of my arm and helped me keep my balance. He pulled me a little closer as I got onto my feet. But soon his eyes started to bulge from pain of me digging my heel into his foot.
"Just because I'm injured, doesn't mean I can't defend myself," I said as I walked passed him, "you coming?"
He turned his head slowly towards me, "was that necessary?!"
"I felt threatened enough that it was in my best interest to defend myself. Besides," I turned towards the door, "it's not like I kick you in the balls again."
He mumbled something inaudibly as he followed after me. We slowly made our way down to a private dinning area. I was slow, Zabuza could have easily passed me, but he kept pace with me. His general attitude towards me had changed so much since he had that talk with me about my past. I was actually starting to wonder if he always felt like this and he was just trying to kill me because he didn't want to deal with his feelings.
That would be a typical male behavior, I thought, Liang always pulled my hair… the real one anyone. I guess the only way boys know how to show affection is with violence… wait… Zabuza has almost killed me a few times… does that mean…
"I was wondering when you two would come down," Haku's voice interrupted my thoughts, "breakfast is starting to get cold."
"Sorry Haku," I apologized, "but I can't walk to fast, it still really hurts."
I sat down at the table and Zabuza next to me. Haku took his place across from him and started to dish up breakfast. Breakfast was like every other breakfast we've had, except there was a table… that was a nice addition. Both Haku and I started eating at our usual slow pace, while Zabuza had his usual quick shoving action. He always ate quickly and I never had the nerve to ask why, but I could guess.
"Zabuza, sir, you are among friends," Haku started shyly, "you don't have to eat so quickly."
He looked up from his bowl, a terrible stare formed on his face. Without saying a word, he resumed eating.
I sighed, "You know he's right Zabuza. You probably don't have to worry about us making fun of your teeth." I waited for his reaction.
"What did you say," he glared over at me.
"All I'm trying to say," I didn't stare back, "is that Haku has been around you for many years and he's way to nice. I'm still to afraid of you to say anything horribly mean."
Zabuza just stared at me for a moment, then continued to eat as he usually did.
"Also," I added, "if you choke I'm not going to do the Heimlich maneuver."
He didn't even seem to care as he finished up his breakfast. Placing his dishes on the table, Zabuza left the room without saying another word, leaving Haku and I to finish our breakfast. We talked about the usual things, avoiding this morning's unpleasantness. After we had finished and cleaned up, Haku and I parted ways, him to do something for Zabuza and I had to explore and gather information.
A few hours later…
Well I've checked out the entire place and found only one safe, I thought to myself, however I couldn't get into Gato's office… he sounded like he was going to be in a long phone conversation.
I leaned up against the wall, "of course the one place I really want to check is occupied. I could just wait for him… or I could come back later," I peeked around the corner. I think I'll just wait, I planned as I saw two of Gato's bodyguards enter the office in a rush.
I could hear the two bodyguards explaining something, but their hushed voices were barely audible.
"WHAT?!" I heard Gato exclaim, "What did you say?!"
"Those two Demon Brothers that Zabuza sent just returned and they failed miserably," I finally heard one of them say.
The Demon Brothers fail… Zabuza going to be pissed, I rolled my eyes; those Leaf Ninjas must be something else to beat those two... not, I ended up laughing.
"Where's Zabuza right now," Gato screamed.
"He's in…," I could hear the rest.
The next thing I heard was the hurried footsteps of several people. The office door opened and first come out the two bodyguards that just entered, then Gato and finally the four guards that had entered with Gato. They went down the hall and out of sight.
I guess those two do have a use after all, I giggled to myself as I quietly made it to Gato's now deserted office. Better check and make sure that there wasn't someone that stayed behind, I thought as I tried to peer into the office.
I quickly called upon my chakra and created a field. I couldn't feel any electrical pulses of a human beyond the door, but there was a lot of electrical interference for the wiring of the building.
Only one way to find out if I'm right, I slowly opened the door.
No shadows, no movement, nothing seemed to be alive as I entered. In his rush, Gato had left all the lights on, making it easier to see, but also could expose my intrusion. I hunched down, but cringed in pain.
I'll be in trouble if I'm seen, so I think I'll just endure the momentary pain, I thought as I held my chest.
I made my way towards Gato's desk as quietly as I could. Standing up slowly, I started to go through Gato's things.
Later that day…
"Zabuza sir, what are you going to do now," Haku asked as he followed Zabuza down the hallway.
"Like I told Gato, I'm going to take the hit myself," Zabuza looked over his shoulder. "However, I want you there to watch the fight."
"Do you want me to be there because of the Demon Brothers' description of the Jonin that was with the three genin? Did you want me to interfere if necessary," Haku asked.
"No, I want to face him myself," Zabuza clinched his fist, "I've always wanted to face Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. The reason I want you there is because I want you to watch Kakashi. If he's as good as the Bingo Book indicates, then I'm going to need your expert eye to analyze his tactics and if he uses the Sharingan, that too."
"Oh course Zabuza," Haku agreed.
"He can also save your ass with that Tracker Ninja trick," Zi's voice came from a dark hallway.
"Did you find anything," Zabuza asked without stopping to greet her.
"Yes and no," she said as she filed in behind him. "Yes, there is a safe. No, I don't know what's in it."
"That's good enough for now," Zabuza continued down the hallway. "Tell me Zi," he turned to her, "how much do you know about the Sharingan Eye?"
She brought her delicate fingers up to her lips, "I really don't recall anything particular about the Sharingan. The main Kekkei Genkai we learned about was the Byakugan… that was the one that the Raikage was the most interested in anyway."
Zabuza just turned around and started back down the path. Zi looked to Haku for an answer of whether or not to follow. Haku nodded his head with a smile. He knew that Zabuza wasn't mad at her; he was just frustrated. Although Haku didn't really understand why; he actually seemed thrilled to be fighting an Elite Ninja of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. However, when Zi was around, he seemed to become irritated, like he was having an internal battle with himself.
"If you don't need anything else," Zi yawn, and then winced in pain, "ouch, taking deep breaths hurts. Anyway, I'm going to take a quick nap. I'm really tired."
"Go ahead," Zabuza dismissed her.
"See you later Haku," she smiled as she turned towards the direction of her room.
Haku waved goodbye and quickly caught up with Zabuza. They came down to Zabuza's room and entered. Haku closed the door after him and waited to listen to Zabuza's plan to take on the Leaf Ninjas. But Zabuza remained quiet.
"Lord Zabuza," Haku started.
"Haku, you're… friendly with Zi," Zabuza stared out the window, "does she hate… me…"
"Excuse me Lord Zabuza," Haku asked in confusion.
"Nothing, never mind…," Zabuza shook his head. "Now as for Kakashi, this is what we're going to do…"
So Zabuza, you do have conflicting emotions about Zi, Haku giggle inside of his head, it's funny that she's experiencing the same feelings about you.
