I've been on a roll getting these chapters out, haven't I? I've found the first four Naruto Manga (I thought they were lost in what I call my mess of a room) and they have the Zabuza fights (vol. 2-4), so they've been giving me a ton of inspiration (hugs books). Manga, it's my anti-drug… so is Kakashi. Onto the more serious stuff… sort of. It's time for shouts, everyone say YAY! Ok, so I have a lovely pair of shouts, thanks go out to fennecfox03 and Hiei's-Dark-Phoenix (I thought you might have abandoned me). It's really good to hear you guys still like this story, it really makes my day to see your reviews in my inbox. So enjoy the chapter and see you next time.
Chapter Thirteen
Ever since theirs deaths, I have reflected about many things. What I could have done differently, what I could have said that might have change his mind and most of all my feelings. I always said that I hated him and maybe I meant it, but still a part of me actually loved him.
A tear started to roll down my face, "I just wonder…"
Man the Demon Brothers were really chewed out yesterday, I giggled to myself.
I couldn't help but laugh at their embarrassment and pain. After all they did to me, they deserved it.
"Of course Zabuza should have let me handle the punishment," I thought out loud as I pulled out one of my gensens. "I could have brought them in line."
I was of course talking to myself. Zabuza and Haku were taking care of the job. I didn't know where the Demon Brothers were, Zabuza had sent them on another secret mission. Truthfully, I didn't really care. They weren't near me so I was happy. After all I did yesterday, my chest was on fire with pain and I needed the peace and quiet. However, I still wasn't resting peacefully. No matter what I tried, my mind still thought of how Haku and even Zabuza were doing. Zabuza didn't talk to me about his plan to deal with this Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye and I also didn't know what Haku was going to be doing. I couldn't help but be a little bit more concern than usual.
"You better not let anything happening to Haku, Zabuza," I looked out the window.
It was about midmorning and both of them have been gone for some time. I knew they could take care of themselves, but I still had this feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
Settle down, I told myself, they're big boys and can handle themselves. You're just projection your feelings from when your brother died. This is nothing like that. You're not there to mess things up...
Knock knock, a lit rapping came at the door.
Don't think I can pretend to be asleep this time, I thought as I got up from the chair in front of the window.
"Yes, who is it," I asked in the politest tone I could.
"It's me, Gato," his voice came from the other side.
"Oh good morning Gato sir," I came up to the door, "what can I do for you?"
"Well, I was wondering how you were doing," he asked.
I knew it, "I'm doing much better," I cheerfully answered. "Thanks to the medical treatment you were so kind enough to give," I added.
"Well, it was nothing my dear," he sounded a little embarrassed, "you know if you need anything else, you can just ask me and I'll do what I can for you."
You could drop dead, that would help, "oh I'm fine. Thank you for asking," I shyly giggled. "I'm just trying to get some rest now."
"Oh, I'm sorry if I disrupted you," he apologized.
"No, I was just going to lie down so I was up anyway," I said with a pretend yawn.
"You should get plenty of rest my dear. I'll be out for a little while, so if you need anything just ask one of my guards. Ciao," Gato finally left.
I waited until I didn't hear anymore footsteps and did a quick chakra field check, "oh my gosh, finally! I really wish he would just drop dead!"
That dirty old man, I shuttered, someone should have put out a job to kill him a long time ago. With all those dirty little secrets that I got yesterday, he should be in jail for several life sentences… did I tell Zabuza that I got that… nah, he wouldn't care anyway.
I walked back to the window and took up my vigilance, just waiting for Haku and Zabuza to return.
A few hours later…
"He must be playing with them," I thought out loud as I continued to watch for Haku and Zabuza to return.
I was leaning on the windowsill, watching the trees and road that lead up to the fortress. The only things I saw was Gato leaving, a few birds and squirrels and the occasional rabbit.
Thinking of rabbits, didn't I see Haku carrying his rabbit with him this morning? I wonder why he would… is that Haku and is that…, I put my hand up to my mouth in shock, "he's carrying Zabuza! Something bad must have happen!"
I quickly got up and ran towards the door. From what it looked like, Haku was having a hard time holding Zabuza's heavy body up. Though my chest hurt from running, I still hurried down to help. It was time that I put aside my pain… both pains…
"Haku!" Zi's voice cried out as she ran out onto the path, "what the hell happen?!"
"I'm afraid that Zabuza was injured," Haku answered with some difficulties.
"Here let me help you," she came to Zabuza's other side and put his arm over her shoulders.
"Please don't Zi," Haku scolded, "you're still injured and if you strain yourself before it's fully healed you might hurt it worst."
"Save your scolding for Zabuza, the big lug," Zi smiled, "right now we need to get him inside and treat his wounds."
Haku stood for a moment, then smiled. He knew Zi was right. Slowly they started to walk Zabuza into the fortress.
A few minutes later…
Haku and Zi gently laid Zabuza on the bed and covered him.
"He's sopping wet," Zi complained.
"I'll explain why in a little bit," Haku started towards the door, "but right now I have to go and get some medical supplies."
Zi stepped in front of him, "I'll get them. You can start cleaning up his wounds… since I'm not too good at it. I'll be right back." She hurried out the door.
Zabuza isn't the only one acting weird, Haku thought to himself.
Haku shook his head; he had other more important things to worry about than Zabuza and Zi acting weird. Without wasting another minute, Haku started to work on Zabuza.
Six nights later…
Zabuza slowly opened his eyes. He didn't realize that he had fallen asleep. Looking around, he noticed that it was really dark. The only thing he could hear was the sound of a very sad flute playing quietly in the background. He turned his head towards the sound to see Zi sitting in a chair next to his bed, playing her flute.
"You haven't played that in a long time," Zabuza whispered.
"Oh you're awake," she stopped, "you slept for a long time."
"What did you expect, Haku did hit two points in my neck that cause a death like state," Zabuza explained.
"True," Zi looked down at her feet.
"So what are you doing here? You don't seem the type to watch over someone you hate," Zabuza asked in a sarcastic tone.
Zi's cheeks turned red, "that sounds familiar, save a few words." Still looked down at her feet, "Haku has been watching you for the pass few days and I felt like he should rest up, even if it's only for a few hours. I also thought," Zi turned to him; her cheeks were still red, "that my flute might be soothing."
Zabuza started smirk, "it would be soothing if you knew some better songs then the depressing one you play."
"Again true," Zi scratched her head in embarrassment.
She's acting unusual; Zabuza thought to himself, "What's wrong with you tonight?"
"Huh?" she looked confused.
"You're not acting your usual sad pouty, bipolar, going to either kill or castrate me self," Zabuza clarified.
"I'm not bipolar," Zi narrowed her eyebrows, "and I'm not acting unusual."
"You haven't ever since I hugged you," he snickered.
This time her entire face turned red, "well… I … I just… that is… damn you Zabuza."
"Damn me huh," Zabuza repeated, "that sounds more like you."
Zi leaned back in her chair, bringing her arm around her chest, "I know that I've been acting odd later and it is because you hugged me," she looked over to him and smiled, "you just really confuse me Zabuza."
"How's that," Zabuza asked.
"When we first met, you said you were going to kill me and you could have very easily," she started to explain, "but you didn't. Then you called me one of your tools… which I thought was a little kinky. Next you find out about my past and want to kill me. And after all the trouble I caused you and Haku, you bring me here to save me and to top it all off," she looked down at her feet again, "you hug me and tell me that things aren't so different from when I was with my former squad. I… I just don't know what to think or feel anymore…," she trailed off.
Zabuza remained quiet. He was going through the same thought process that she was.
"As a little girl, I thought what I knew what I wanted," she started up, "I wanted to grow up, marry a man that would sweep me off my feet, have a few kids and spend the remainder of my life with that man, forever loving one another without the slightest swaying of emotion towards one another," a tear rolled down her cheek, "sounds like some stupid little dream doesn't it?"
Zabuza still remained quiet.
"I guess that isn't going to happen now… now that I'm going to be pursued by Ninja Hunters for the rest of my life," the tears started to flow from her eyes, "I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how I feel… I don't know how I feel about you…"
"I can't tell you how to feel Zi," Zabuza broke his silence, "and I can't help you figure them out either… I'm just not that kind of guy. Also," he turned away from her, "I don't know how I feel about you either."
He heard her wipe her face, "maybe we can figure them out… together."
Zabuza turned back to her to find her lying down on the bed next to him. He slipped his arm under head and she snuggled up next to him.
"I think I'm too tired to go back to my room," she whispered, "I'll just lie down here for a few minutes…," her voice trailed out as she closed her eyes.
Zabuza just wrapped his arms around the sleeping Zi and closed his eyes, falling asleep the soothing rhythm of Zi's breathing.
