Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter IV

Here I was, after a long day of working, sitting next to the man that could easily lead to my downfall. And I had stoic little boy next to me, who kept an even closer eye to his breathing then I did as a professional.

The whole walk home I had looked over my shoulder, fearing someone would follow me or find my behavior odd. I was slowly driving my brain mad with frantic ideas of ANBU hiding behind every corner. Whenever I saw shimmer in a window, I was certain it was one of them keeping an eye out on me.
I'd fear I would catch a familiar white mask lurking and be caught…
I had told myself numerous times to keep it calm but my racing heart wouldn't allow it.

I glanced at the boy out of the corner of my eye. Perhaps it was lack of sleep that made me crave some sort of weird affection, or be it even attention… but I felt as if the boy was being a lot more stoic and quiet then before. As if he was keeping his distance.
He rarely spoke up and always wore the same expression, which I couldn't decipher.
And when he smiled at me… It didn't feel like a real smile.

I shrug off the thoughts and press my hand on Zabuza's forehead, feeling his temperature finally drop a little. I let out a sigh of relieve, though I'm not quite sure if I should be happy about this.
When I had come home I found he hadn't been in a good stable state at all and I was actually starting to fear he might not… I held my breath at that thought.

Then what? What the hell was I supposed to do if he died? Bury him in my backyard?

I let out another sigh, this one made out entirely out of all the tiredness that was running in aimless circles through my body, fatiguing me even more. I rub my eyes and tried to stay awake a bit longer to keep the boy company.
'So what did you do today, Haku?' I asked him, hearing my voice crack in mid-sentence.
'I stayed with Zabuza all day…'
I turned to look at him but he evasively kept looking in the other direction. Anywhere but my eyes.
'Is everything ok?' I then ask him, a bit more strict, hoping that way I could squeeze an answer out of him.
'Yes….' He nods and dares to glance at me when answering my question. I just nod back and keep quiet, not really knowing what else to say.

'I really need to catch up on some sleep,' I tell him. 'If there anything at all, wake me up… I'll close all the curtains and windows so don't worry... No one will be able to see you, at least not from the outside.'
'Goodnight, Sakura,' he now speaks to me on much sweeter, kinder tone. I smile at him.

But deep inside, I can't help but think that I have yet to figure him out… I quietly bid him goodnight and take one last look at my patient. I do sincerely hope he makes it through the night.

I don't even have to worry about falling asleep, the moment my head meets the pillow I'm out.

I groan and I stretch before I let out a content yawn. I finally felt like I had caught up on some sleep! I rub the sleep out of my eyes a few more times before opening them. The sun is up already…

Wait, the sun is up?

I sit up straight and see the rays of sun peeking through the curtains. I take look at my watch and see how close it is to noon already. I literally jump out of bed and run to the bathroom. It isn't until I open the door and see the darkness in my hallway I am reminded of my unwanted guests living with me.
I let out a sigh and hurry to see where Haku is. Of course he's in the attic with Zabuza, who's condition is still not as stable as I would like…

'Can't you stay?' Haku pleadingly asks me while I try to lower Zabuza's fever.
I keep putting cold clothes on to his body and I'm starting to give him a higher dose of antibiotics.
'I have to go and take a look at Lord Inui,' I answer him strict. 'And I need to make sure the commander doesn't start to suspect anything… The fact that I haven't checked in yet is going to rise questions!'
'But he's not doing well!' Haku answers me with a shrill voice. There is fear in his brown eyes, piercing my heart with ease and lowering my guard. I let my shoulders drop and I surrender without a fight.
Suddenly my priority becomes Zabuza and I find myself thinking of ways to make it home sooner, even though my day has started much later…
'I'll think of something,' I eventually mutter to the boy. 'Try to keep his body cool, keep cold compressed on him at all times… mostly his heart.'
Oh, the irony of that. Bastard probably didn't have a heart.
I let Haku take over and see the concern and care in him of a little brother, devotedly taking care of his older sibling.
Though I hoped I one day could make him see otherwise, Zabuza was obviously is all this boy had and he would do just about anything to save him.

I wish I could do something for him… Make him understand that his actions mean probably nothing to this man.

'Please don't stay out too long,' he pleads me. 'I don't know what to do if something…'

'I'll be back before you know it,' I answer him while putting a firm hand on his shoulder. 'Be brave, I know you can Haku. I promise I'll be—'promise me you'll make him better,' he cuts me off and his brown eyes are void of fear. I see something other in them now. Something a little more sinister.
'I… I don't know if I can—'Save him. Promise me you'll save him,' he snaps. 'Promise me, Sakura.'
I swallow, feeling myself getting pressured yet I can't help but mumble out the words he wants to hear.

'I promise… I'll save him.'

I leave the shivering body of the assassin behind me while the brown eyes of Haku haunt me all the way to the hospital.

I tell the staff that I had overslept and I had worn myself out over the past couple of days. Of course none of them disagree or hold it against me. I, for the first time, asked some of my colleagues to take over some of my patients for today. Or at least let them do the checkup. Except for Lord Inui and the commander, who I personally want to see.

The commander.

I've been driving myself mad with our last conversation and I have pondered and pondered about how to explain myself to him. I didn't want to lose his trust but yet I knew deep inside, I'm not even have it to begin with.

I quietly knock on his door, deciding to not postponed our meeting like I did yesterday. I wanted to know for myself where I stood with him.

His gruff voice gives a short "enter" before I dare to open the door.

'Good morning—I mean, afternoon,' I correct myself while smiling.
Surprisingly he smiles back.
'So you decided to listen to my advice?' he asks. I hear his sardonic undertone loud and clear.
'I'm afraid my body did,' I answer holding on to lighthearted smile that had find its way to my lips. I feel like it makes me look more genuine and nonchalant. Though I'm not lying for the moment, I couldn't help but feel as unnaturally as I did yesterday. This wasn't me, playing roles.

'I assume you are here for my check-up?' he asks. I nod asking him how he has been feeling.
He's tough guy and though his body might not be able to work properly for the moment, his mind never seemed to stop working with the same precision.

'I talked to Raccoon, he confirms your story. He says he got attacked from behind, which makes us believe that Rabbit is indeed a traitor. And since we can't find his body or the assassin's, we have to assume both are still alive and working together.'
I stay silence, letting it all sink in while realizing that that assumption was incorrect. Rabbit had not been around Zabuza as far as I could tell. However… my mind takes me back to yesterday and Haku's odd behavior.

Today he had practically begged me to stay… what if that hadn't had anything to do with Zabuza's condition!? What if Rabbit had come around and threatened him!?
I try to hide my fear and not rush out the door like my mind instinctively was telling me to do.

'Doctor Haruno,' the commanders voice brings me back. I stare at him with wide eyes, certain he can read my mind.
'About yesterday,' he starts calmly, yet his eyes never leave mine, making me more and more anxious.
'I know you have patients that… cannot be threated according to the protocol.'
I almost wanted to blurt out the heavy burden growing on my shoulders, since I was starting to feel as if it could crush me down at any moment. 'Listen, I…'
'I know you're not tending a traitor or an assassin,' he sharply says cutting me off.

I manage to refrain myself from letting out a surprised gasp.

'But I know you have the reputation of helping all men and women that are in need of your help, be it from our nation or another. Even if they are sided with us or the enemy, you see no difference and that is a very honorable and admirable thing to do.'

I feel myself blush when he compliments me. I was rarely applauded for my decisions, even by my fellow colleagues. And I had never received it from his kind, a man who was obviously a very respected individual. Compliments were probably seldom given by him.

For the first time I realized his cold facial mask did give me an indication of what type of man he was.

'I know whoever it was you were trying to help yesterday was someone who we might not help.'
I swear my heart stopped beating for a split second.
'I'm not going to check up on it but if you keep coloring out of the lines, I'm going to have to do what our protocol requires.'
'I know,' I nod feeling a bit relieved yet at the same time I was more on edge. He knew I was helping someone!
'I think you are a great doctor and we, as a nation, would be foolish to put you behind bars for something as kind as helping a wounded person, even though that person may not be a part of our civilization. The public would have our heads if word ever came out and we want to avoid-''Thank you!' I eventually blurt out placing my hands on his, giving them a light squeeze. 'I know I was stupid yesterday and I can't help but thank you for letting it slide. I told that man I couldn't help him,' I swallow, hearing the promise of Haku ring in my ears over and over. 'But he begged me and I just…' I don't why but I wanted to cry.

I highly doubted my distraught woman cry was going to keep me in his good grace. He wasn't that type of man.

'I just couldn't say no…' I muttered.

To my surprise I feel a reassuring hand on my back. He doesn't speak to loud but his whisper is clear in my ear. 'I know you've been under a lot of emotional stress, losing the councilor and being suspect now… I can tell you are not some traitor simply by my personal experience and I apologize if I was rough on you but I had to make sure you were not another part of the conspiracy. I do still believe you.'

I take a step back, startled by what I was hearing. 'So you mean I'm no longer—'Well, we're not leaving until we have that bastard or the traitor, so as long as the investigation and our mission is operative, you are a part of this case. You're not off the hook just yet.'

I am only capable of giving a short nod of understanding. His hands leave underneath mine and the warmth of earlier dissolves into thin air. I feel odd now and I can tell he too is feeling a bit uncomfortable.

'However, Haruno,' the tone of his voice changes and an unnerving feeling takes over my trembling body and holds me still until he continues talking. He decides to leave me waiting for a minute.

'I'm only willing to let it slide, if you discharge me by the end of the week.'

'W-what?'

'Another group of ANBU is on its way, if I'm not discharge I have to handle this mission over to someone else. The Councilor was my responsibility and it is I who will bring justice for his death.'

'But…' I shake my head at him. 'You won't be recovered by the end of this week,' I simply answer.

I suddenly felt as if every door I opened was a trap. I try to come clean but in the end up I end soiling my hands even deeper into the dirt.

'I'm sure you'll find a clever way of getting me out of this predicament.'

'I don't understand—'Haruno, if someone else is in charge that means you are back in deep trouble. I'm not going to be able to defend you, though it does seem you already have the right person on your side.'

'Excuse me?' I ask him confused not knowing who he was talking about.

'Lord Inui, he seems to believe in your innocence quite fiercely and wants to avoid getting you involved in every way possible.'

I feel a warmth hit my cheeks and for a moment I can't help but look away. I'm speechless.

'I figured it was more of a personal… feeling he had.'

'We're not!' I speak up, feeling myself blush an even deeper shade of red. 'We are not… not in any way! We have hardly spoken with one another. There is nothing—'I don't care for your personal affairs, Haruno, nor do I care about Lord Inui interest in you,' he snaps.

'The question is, are you able to follow my orders!?'

'You just asked me for a bargain to keep quiet!' I snap back, not believing what I was hearing. 'I'm not one of your men!'

The image of him being a respectable, honorable man had just been shattered completely.

'I can't promise you there won't be more,' he simply answers, as if I already agreed with his proposal.

His cold expression makes it hard for me to trust him. But then again, I am hardly trustworthy myself. Yet here I am, pleading that I was just that… trustworthy.

'You need to follow my lead, trust me and ask no questions if you want to stay out of this.'
'How can I stay out when you are asking me to follow your lead?!' I answer with a growl.
'Because as long as this case isn't solved, you are a part of this! But it is I who can keep it at minimal!'
'You're no better…' I mutter, shaking my head.
'I'm not better then who?' he asks confused.
'Everyone,' I turn around and hold back a sob. I had let my guard down once for some absurd reason, I wasn't going to do it twice. I wasn't going to plead for anything.

Yet I hated the nagging feeling inside. I had worried about this man… felt bad for lying to his face and now it felt as if he was no better.

I was his puppet until Zabuza was caught, which I was keeping save… Only dead could end this tragic loop.

The thought alone made me want to break down completely but instead I straighten my posture and swallowed my feelings. For a moment I felt close to being that young fragile girl I once was.

I heard the voice of my mentor echo in my head telling me to set aside my feelings when duty was involved or else those dooming thoughts would truly end up as reality.

Perhaps that was why I was so fierce in wanting to save everyone I deemed in need because otherwise I would end up as a strained, sad and tired woman who cared too deeply and only end up falling apart.

'I have to visit Lord Inui,' I say on a passive tone. 'I'll do what you ask of me but… I'm not doing this wholeheartedly, just so you know.'

'I'm aware, Haruno. You would be ANBU otherwise.' I can hear him smirk when makes that comment.

If don't know if he meant it as a compliment or not, either way, I didn't take it as one.

'I'll be back tomorrow,' I inform him.

He nods but not be for telling me that if I decide to take a day off, he would have to be informed of that.

'Else I have no choice but to send an agent to make sure you are alright. I could tell your colleagues were worried but they insisted that you had probably taken their advice and took a day off.'

'I have,' I sternly state when I hear his tone of slight disbelieve.

'Perhaps,' he shrugs. 'I want you to take a look at Raccoon, come back and report to me how he is doing.'

'Two orders in one day?' The sarcasm was hard to miss. I give him a hateful glare but his face stays passive.

I thought I had an ally in this madness…

'Haruno,' he then says, ignoring my remark completely. 'I heard you want to go home early today… That's a bit odd considering you have hardly worked at all. Is there any reason for you wanting to go home early?'

I let out a growl of annoyance at him. 'I'm just deadbeat tired of all you,' I snap.

I then turn around on my heels and slam the door shut behind me. I startle some of his guards. 'Stubborn man,' I simple utter as an explanation walking out of the hall as quickly as I could.

I ignore Raccoon's room on and walk straight pass it.

Though normally I dread to visit a patient that made me feel slightly… uncomfortable, I decide that I needed to spend time with someone that wasn't using me for his own benefit. When I knocked and heard his voice I could feel my heart flutter and I couldn't help but smile.

Genuinely.

'Lord Inui,' I greet him and bow my head. He isn't alone, accompanied by some men and a nurse who is keeping a steady eye on the monitor.

'I apologize for being late,' I tell him. 'I'm afraid the past events have caught up with me and I needed listen to my body and rest.'

'I'm glad to hear you are taking care of yourself,' Inui answered. When he spoke, the entire room fell quiet. I felt a little uncertain but then again, I always felt that way around him.
'I know how you have been feeling since…' he couldn't seem to find the words to finish that sentence. Physically he was doing well but mentally it would take a while to get over his grief.

'How are you feeling today, Lord Inui?' I ask, trying to bring his thoughts elsewhere.

'His wound is healing up nicely,' the nurse answers in his place. I arch an eyebrow at her.

Lord Inui gives a short chuckle at our silent stare. I smile along, glad to see he was doing rather well.

'I do have pain,' he says when he abruptly places his hand on his side.
'Let's take a look,' I say. He hold up a hand, halting me.

'Could everyone please leave?' he addresses the entire room. 'Also I would like to talk to doctor Haruno in private for a moment.'

Everyone obeys, even the nurse leaves. I know her quite well so I can tell she is a bit startled by the request of her having to leave too. I didn't mind if she was there or not but Lord Inui apparently did. I can see by the scribbles on his file, my colleagues had been following him up during my absence

'Is everything alright?' I ask him, wondering if someone had been unpleasant towards him or made him feel uncomfortable.

'No,' he smiles. 'I simply wanted to talk to you.'

'Talk,' I say with a smile. 'But do first tell me how you feel…' I check his charge. Everything was nice and stable.

A sharp pain suddenly seeps in my heart, Haku. Zabuza's trembling body came before my eyes.

'I try to play tough but that wound is really hurting me,' Inui tells me. 'Are you alright, doctor Haruno?' he asks when he sees me gazing out the window.

'Y-yes, I'm just… still tired,' I mutter while making him turn around so I can take a better look at his wound.

'It's going to need to take its time to heal. Time heals all wounds,' I wisely tell him to which he gives me sad smile.
You just needs to be a bit more patient…
'I'm sorry, I know being tied up to this bed is not something you want to do for the moment,' I tell him, trying to somewhat comfort him.

He shrugs, 'it can't be helped… Are you alright, doctor Haruno? You looked exhausted yesterday.'
'I'm better,' I fake a smile. I felt better this morning but about a half an hour ago that feeling had been brutally ripped from me.

'I know that the commander is pressuring everyone with solving this case and completing the new given mission… As much as I want to avenge my mentor, I'm afraid we all have to recognize it is a part of our job. It is a risk we all know of. It could not have been avoided, it was too well planned…'

I wasn't so sure about that, if I had stayed in that room… Whenever I thought back to that moment, I could curse myself to hell and back for not staying.

'Don't be so hard on yourself,' his voice soft and comforting. He places his hand on my cheek when he sees my despair. 'I know he would never say it but he did respect you, doctor Haruno.'

I frown, not understanding who he was talking about.

'The Councilor,' he clarifies. 'He said one day the world might be filled with such charitable kind people like you…'

'He said that?' I ask him in disbelief. He starts laughing while holding on to his wounds to cease the pain. I start to laugh along. I could not hear the man say such kind things about me.

'Not in those words,' he confessed. 'But one day…' he nods at me and lets go of my face. I can see him blush a little which makes me blush. Now was so not the moment to be romantically involved with anyone… I inwardly sigh at my misfortune in time.

'Listen, I… When this case is solved I'll be promoted—hence why the commander is in such rush to find the... assassin and presumable traitor.' He pauses for a second. 'I don't care about that, I just want to…'
His blue eyes look away.
'The point is, doctor Haruno, if he pressures you in discharging him or something other, please come to me. We have plenty of competent men like him to take over, I'm afraid it is his pride that he needs to set aside,' he finishes while surprising me with his sudden firm tone.

'Easier said than done,' I mutter not understanding where this was coming from. 'But I don't think it is his pride… I believe he just wants to bring justice to… those who deserve it.'

In my heart, I actually believed that. It was rather unfortunate that he, like many others, believed that the end justified the means. But perhaps the commander was, in his own way, only trying to do the right thing. My anger for him slowly ceased and made room for understanding.

I let out a heavy sigh. 'I won't let him work if I don't think he's capable. Physically he might not be up for the job but mentally… he's very sharp and focused.'

'You think so?'

I could see worry in his eyes… for a man who he did not know. He probably did not even know his real name.

It warmed my heart to see there was still some good left in this world. If Inui was going to be Councilor… then perhaps our nation would finally be led into peace. At least, that I was I hoped for. He was only one man, after all.

'I don't think anyone is more qualified but him, Lord Inui.'

I don't know if I'm lying or not.

All I knew is that I had to cover myself in… Especially now that I had to discharge the commander by the end of this week.

'Well none of that matters,' he finally says. 'I want you to take it easy. Just because you are a doctor doesn't mean you don't need time to heal,' he says, using my words against me. I smirk at him when I see a coy smile take place on his lips.

'I'm fine… I promise to take it a bit easy the next couple of days!' I tell him.

'I won't be leaving anytime soon,' he says, 'so I'll be keeping an eye out on you!'

I smile, feeling strange and exhilarated at the same time.
When it is the appropriate time for me to leave as a doctor, I don't want to go. I do not want to leave this comforting zone. This bubble, as one could call it, kept the corrupt part of the world I had witnessed over the last couple of days out. It was nice, pleasant…

I felt like a real doctor again, doing only good.

Pure, was the word to describe it best.

Though Inui was a part of the crowd that walked in here and turned everything upside down and slowly immoral it just as they were… I couldn't help but feel a little less horrible about myself when I was with him.

I let out a sigh as I close the door behind me. How many heavy sighs had left my mouth today?
And the day was far from over.
I did not feel like talking to the commander again nor check on Raccoon, since every little thing I did was a part of a coy plan of one of the many untrustworthy men that walked in this hospital. My once clean, serene hospital…

Though the war had always been close to this little town I felt that, since of today, the core had just moved itself into our small center and I was suddenly aware that I had become a vulnerable pawn, easy to use and use against others…

When I walk into Raccoon's room he was sleeping. For the first time I saw him without a mask.
He was young… Too young.

He's sound asleep and I can't bring myself to wake him. I do check on a few written down notes taken by my colleagues. There is a few things worthy of mention but… I bite my lip.

I had already wasted valuable time, I had to go back to Zabuza if I didn't want to end up with a dead man in my house… Haku's sweet voice annoyingly reminded me of a promise.

I put the notes back and quietly leave the room. Before I talk to the ANBU agent standing in the hall, I ruffle up my hair a bit and let out a yawn, pretending to still be overly exhausted.
'The patient is sound asleep, I rather not wake him… He needs to rest with his wounds, his current state is still critical and shouldn't be taken lightly,' I tell the guy while doing my best to let my eyes hang a bit. He gives small nod, though not entirely understanding why I was telling him this.
'The commander asked me to check on him and have few words…'
His eyes widen and he gives me a certain nod, now understanding why.
'Besides, I'm still quite… sleep deprived myself…' I mutter. 'You think you can let him now I will talk with Raccoon first thing tomorrow morning?'
His face is hidden underneath his mask but I can tell he is arching an eyebrow at what I'm saying.

I bite my lip worrying if had just been caught until an angry little voice reminds me I am the doctor and I don't have to explain myself as much as I am doing right now.
'It's not that I don't want to but I can tell my brain isn't as sharp as it should be, I know Raccoon is important to your investigation.'

He nods and when I turn around I have to halt, he asks me a very peculiar question. 'Are you disobeying an order?'

I turn my head sharply back to him, 'No for I am not under your service nor am I a kunoichi. I am a doctor, a very respected one at that and I simply offered my help to your commander, who took it as huge favor and would be very pleased to hear my opinion. I did not inclined when and I most certainly did not tell him I would report back to him.'

I hate those porcelain masks… I never seem to have a clue what is going on underneath. For some reasons I felt as if he was smirking. He was tilting his head slightly and was definitely silenced by my little speech. He then held up his hands, chuckled an apology and told me he would give the message to his superior.

I nod and wish him a good evening.

When I return home, I find Haku in the same position as I left him. Holding on to the still trembling man. I've brought some ice and cold wet towels. I place it on his core and try to cool off his burning forehead.
I sigh again, recovery was not going as I had hoped…

I then take a glance at Haku and see his tired pale face staring aimlessly at the man. His hair was uncombed and his clothes were more crumpled. It made me realize I would have to sneak in some fresh clothes. I looked at Zabuza, who was hardly dressed because I had gotten rid of all the few shreds that he had on when he had stumbled in here. I would need to get him some too…
Besides I couldn't just let them stink up my house with their unsanitary was of living.

When I see Zabuza's bloodstained clothes I suddenly have a realization… How did they get in here unnoticed? ANBU was obviously not on to them… But his blood… It must've led a trail.
'Haku, how did you guys get in here?' I ask him, suddenly think back of my earlier thought of Rabbit being of assistance.

He was staring intently at Zabuza. He blinks once before looking at me, which was a bit unsettling. I sometimes felt as if a part of him was missing. A very human part.
'Haku?' I say when he gives me a long strange stare.
'Through the window,' he answers monotone.
'Yes but Zabuza obviously must've left a blood trail—'that is not something you should concern yourself with, Sakura.'
The answer was bit unnerving and I had to take a minute to recover by pretending I was checking up on Zabuza.
'Did you sleep last night?' I then ask him while not making much eye-contact. 'Or rest at all?'
He shakes his head.
'Do it now,' I tell him. 'I'll eventually have to go to sleep because tomorrow I do have to show up on time to work, else we are going to have a big problem.'
'How so?' he asks me with raspy voice.
'ANBU is going to come and check on me…' I perhaps said that a little too light because Haku gave me an expression of utter confusion and worry.
'Go rest, Haku,' I then tell him. 'I promised, remember?'
He nods while his hand touches the arm of the assassin, as if quietly telling him he was going to take small nap and he'd be right back…

Though I still found it endearing too see, a part of me understood how problematic Haku was. This kid wasn't going abandon him, he was too fond of the assassin. When Haku was out the room I asked Zabuza what he had done to him but no answer came.

Being alone with him wasn't something I dreaded but to say I was at ease wasn't quite accurate either. Normally I would try to ease my patient their pain, make them feel comfortable… I did not feel inclined to do that for this man. I kept starring at his face so much I suddenly realized that my dilemma of yesterday was quite ridiculous. I'm pretty sure I by now could describe this man's face without having to close my eyes to bring it before me.

The irony of this situation was that since of today I had been questioning my own government more than the enemy's motives.

I felt as if Zabuza was the easiest individual of them all. At least I didn't have think about his motive.

He was still twitching and shaking. In about an hour he would get his third dose of antibiotics, if he wasn't doing any better after that I would have another big problem to add on my list.

There was only so much I could do…

As I was cleaning up the wounds on his leg and torso, I thought over what had happened today. It had been an strange course of events. I had let my guard down with the commander with the reward being a display of his true colors. Though I had no idea what was going on inside of his mind, I did feel like I had misjudged him.
He was not as sincere and noble as I had thought but then again this world made it hard for people to do what is right… I think of Haku when thinking that.

I had been questioning my decisions but a part of me said that no matter how much I was trying to convince myself, Haku had little to do with this outcome. Above all, I couldn't figure out if I was actually help the boy. I look at frowning face of the assassin when he let out a painful grunt.

Why did he care so much for him? How did these two even meet?

I shake my head in defeat, no matter how much I try to close my eyes for the reality of things, I had to face it; ANBU, from my nation or elsewhere were too well trained for me. After the academy I had solely focused on medicine. I didn't have the training to take these guys on… not even mentally.

I'm sure Zabuza had ways of getting inside of the boy's head, ways I didn't know of.

He had been acting so differently than the first two times I had met him. He had been so scared back then, just like all… the other poor boys. I felt as if I was belittling him and those who carried the same faith. Today however he showed me so much indifference I was beginning to doubt if he was anything that I had first thought he was.

'H-Haku?'

His voice was very gruff.

'Haku!' It was a commanding, angry growl. Annoyed by the fact that the boy wasn't present.
'He's sleeping,' I hush him.

When our eyes meet I feel shiver run down my spine. I had threated people with questionable reputations before but… this man, he was so close to me. He was in my home. My entire situation was depending on him. I suddenly feel a little shaky when standing near his waken form.

'Calm down,' I tell him while placing my hand on his shoulder. It felt unnaturally and not just for me, I could tell he was questioning my act. I retreat my hand immediately, as if his skin was fire.
'I'm…' I wasn't glad to see him awake. I actually found it unnerving. 'It's good to see you are able to maintain consciousness, that means your body is finally starting to recover.'
I was rarely as formal as I was being right now but I couldn't think of anything else.

He simply stared at me while not answering. His cold eyes remained fixating on mine which made me feel very unsettled. A long moment of silence passes.

'I have cleaned your wounds and…' I started but halted when realizing that everything I was saying, didn't interest him.

'Did you talk?' he bit out, ignoring what I had been saying. 'Did you talk to anyone about me?'
'No,' I shake my head while quirking up an eyebrow.
'You sure?'
I only nod while giving him an angry glare. Another silence lingers and he simply looks around in the room, perhaps trying to orient himself and remember where he exactly was. He has been out for a while after all, a black-out wasn't uncommon.

'How long?' he asks.
'How long what?' I can't help but let out some annoyance.
'How long until I can get out of this bed?' he growls angrily. 'Or do you like keeping men locked in their beds?' he then smirks at me.
'Could you stop that?' I snarled, not liking his crude way of talking to me. I wasn't some girl he had stumbled upon in a bar or something! 'I don't need you to constantly belittle me as woman.'

He only smirks wider in responds but then lets out a hiss of pain.
'My neck is hurting,' he then informs me.

I realized it was the only wound I hadn't checked on yet which was probably why it was hurting him the most now. I needed to clean his bandages and take look at the wound, the warmth of his fever must be making it unbearable.

'Yes, it will take while to heal… you're lucky it wasn't as deep as the others. You'd be dead otherwise.'
'You're so clever, doctor,' he sarcastically bit out while I try to loosen the bandage around his neck.
'I would like to remind you that I don't have to do this, I could let you sit and drench in your own blood!' I spat out angrily.
Before I could even compromise that he can move is arm he grabs me by my hair and pulls me closer to him. His breath tickles my skin and his eyes are wide and dangerous. I immediately begin to tremble all over.

'You think you can talk to me like that? Or do I have to remind you of what I said earlier? Just because I'm stuck to this bed doesn't mean you don't need to fear me!' his gruff voice makes him sound even more sinister. 'Haku is my little pawn just like you are, rather you like it or not. Do you understand?'
'I do!' I fearfully answer while grabbing hold of his hand, trying to make him loosen his grip on my hair.
'Then don't underestimate me,' he hisses back.
'I'm not!'
'You don't want to wake up in house full of blood, do you, doctor?'
'W-what do you mean?' I ask him with a trembling voice.
'Rabbit… we're partners, remember?' He gave me ominous expression.

I feel a weight drop on me. So he had been in my house… Well of course, Zabuza and Haku had to get help getting here without anyone noticing…

Yet I found my fierceness take over and my eyes dare to look up into his, 'I'm pretty sure this isn't a part of the plan.' 'No, it isn't!' he hisses back and pushes me away from him.
I stumble back and place my hand on my rapidly beating heart, trying to calm it down.
'If you don't want ANBU to find you slaughtered or you don't want to find Haku dead when coming home, clean up your act! I don't care if you despise me and I certainly don't feel privileged to be in your care. You were solely picked because of the location of your house and your weakness for caring about the kid,' he hisses at me. 'This isn't one of your rebellious acts were you stand up for the weak. You are the weak in this situation and you have nod your head if you want keep it on your shoulders, understood?'

I don't answer but I know my silence speaks louder than words. How can a man so weak bring me down to my knees with solely words?

I swallow the huge lump in my throat.

'Clean it up,' he hiss through his teeth. His voice, though never above a whisper, startles me. I only now see the blood seep from his neck down to the pillow. I only nod in response. I'm shaken up and I don't know how to get a grip on myself. I'm in too deep… My breath begins to stagger and I hate the fact that I can't stop my hands from shaking. I certainly don't want to touch him or even be near him but somehow I manage to turn on auto-pilot and do what I'm told.

I thought hated the old man but the feeling I felt inside now was far more aggressive... I could feel it consume me.

Longest chapter so far! Give me some feedback! Did you like this chapter? Do you like the pace of the story? I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I love writing it! Please leave a comment/review, it really motivates me and I do love hearing your thoughts!