Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter XXIV

'I already told you,' I start, 'I don't want to be betrayed anymore.'
He quirks up an eyebrow but stays silent. He eventually turn his attention back to the reports on his desk. I walk up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

'She is going to get you before you get her.'

I wasn't planning on letting her tongue manipulate me. How nice her offering might be and how good her will was for the country, I no longer felt the need to take such high risks for others. This was more of a personal matter really.

Grabbing my hand harshly at first and taking it off his shoulder he then loosens his grip and places it back. As if he had changed his mind on how to react. I move my hand away to the back of his neck. Unwrapping the bandages that were also covering his face. He awaits until I'm finished. I let my hands rest on his shoulders.

Grabbing both of my hands this time, he holds on to them for a moment. He looks up to me.
Without his bandages I read him better. I now understand why he hides his face as shinobi.
Slowly guiding me before him, I rest against his desk.

He brown eyes stare into mine for the longest time.

'I'm aware,' he quietly says. Getting up from his chair, he stands before me. Placing a my hair behind my ear before kissing my neck. I flutter my eyes such at the sensation.
Feeling his hand around my waist pulling me towards him, I take a deep breath. When I look up, I see something different in his brown eyes. I wasn't quite sure how to read the emotion.
But no longer feeling weak myself, I initiate to continue. Placing my arms around his neck to keep him close to me.

Something between yesterday and now had changed me. I didn't quite know if it was because of the Mizukage's open treat or Zabuza's little bit of honesty, but I no longer felt trapped.
I still had opportunities to seize, people to meet places to go. I wanted to move forward. Wherever this would take me, I was ready.

His arm is draped over me and I reach out to the hand lying before me, softly placing it on my heart.

And instead of crumbling because of what had been said, I became more determine to figure indeed Zabuza out, but not to benefit her. I wanted to see for myself who he was and what exactly he wanted from me.

Stirring quietly behind me, I feel myself getting pulled against him. His breath tickles my ear and sensing I was awake, he sits up. It's still early morning and the sun has yet to rise.

The look in his eyes held something predatory. Sometimes it seemed whatever we emotionally couldn't handle, we physically took care of. I had to admit our relationship had become more intense.

'I have to go,' he groaned in between kisses and touches. I just give a small nod before continuing what we were doing. He doesn't get up and I notice that he's less controlling and aggressive lately, letting me do whatever I wanted. Sometimes giving in to whatever I was suggesting.

I don't know why I continue this. The freedom that this once came with this has long fled from us. I think even Zabuza knows that. I briefly ponder on how the next few weeks will be like.

Lying on top of me, his brown eyes wander over me before his mouth finds mine. Sometimes it feels as if we have an actually relationship. I dare thinking about being with him before my mind is numbed by movement.

'Sakura!'

I smile when seeing Haku's light mood cheer up the room. He seemed to be thrilled about something, bringing me a fancy breakfast and sweets for afterwards.
'As a celebration!' he explained, happily sitting next to me at the kitchen-table. I just nod, already excited to spend the rest of the day with him. I of course happily accept the food.
'What has gotten you in such good mood?'
'You!' he immediately said. I raise my eyebrows, not understanding what I could've possible done.

'I'm signing up for your classes!' he then announced.
'Word travels fast,' I mumble in surprise. The Mizukage sure didn't let anything pass her by.
'I've always wanted this but only if you could be my mentor!'
'Well, not everything is—'I know, it's still in an experimental phase but I'm alright with that. My tutor thinks it is a great idea, saying I'm the perfect person to become a medic. But I already knew that since you told me too.'

He sounds a little cocky so I snicker in response. I take note of how he said his "tutor", though obviously not referring to Zabuza.

'And Zabuza?' I ask, noticing how he was not mentioning him.

'He knows I'd jump at the opportunity. Why would he reject? He doesn't like scars…'

I can't help but laugh the last remark, while nodding my head in agreement. Sometimes he really was something between an adult and a kid.

'So you'll be one of my first students here,' I note, suddenly feeling very thrilled about the idea as well. Haku's excitement made it really sink in.

'Yes!'

'I didn't know you wanted to become a medic,' I say, not being able to control my smile. I could feel myself glowing inside. 'I mean I knew you took an interesting in it when you were staying with me but I never thought you'd actually take classes in it.'

Haku gives me a mysterious look as answer and before I know it he grabs my hand and tells me I need to see something. Guiding me out of the apartment, we walk down the stairs. Eventually halting at the small green door of his room. He invites me in. I quietly walk inside, taking it all in.
It was a small space. More of a huge room actually. The amount of books this place held was enormous. I knew Haku loved to read and learn but I'm afraid with this collection he was going to need a bigger place simply to give it all a place.

'Haku, just how many books do you own?' I ask when seeing the several, some poorly made, bookcases.
'Too many. But now that I have a place to stay I can no longer bring myself to read and then get rid of them. I can now go back when I doubt or simply reread them to understand the material better.'

'Well, you sure have a head-start,' I mutter when seeing some his textbooks. These were already quite complex.

'Over here,' he says when I turn to look at him. Not sure what he was up to, I come to stand next to him. There was a small, funny enough, pink bookcase behind him. He gestured I should take look at the books.
Intrigued, I hunch down and as my eyes wander over the titles, my smile falters. Gasping in realization, I look back up to him in shock.

'How did you get these?'

'Ever since I met you, I have taken a real interest in becoming an actual medic. Zabuza went back to the house to get the books, so I could learn from them and your personal notes.'

'Zabuza went back to get these books from my house!?' I gasp out loud, not believing what I had just heard.

'Well, he only took one or two the first time around but I kind of nagged him to get more books. For the longest time he used the excuse that we couldn't carry so much around… but one day, he told me he had a surprise!' His smile widens, explaining everything with the excitement written all over his face. The man he was describing in the story sounded so foreign to me.

I suddenly remember my own discovery a few months back. I guess because of the events it had blurred and I somehow end up forgetting about it. I had indeed found a book of mine in his possession.
I take a deep breath, shocked, in awe and beyond comprehension I try to let it all sink in.

'He went to get these for you?' I repeat. I blink at the old books several times, unable to believe it.

'Well, he couldn't carry all of them and said some were "stupid" and "lame" books for women.'
'Hey! Novels are a good read too! And I like some variation, thank you!' I snap.
'I'm sure he did not mean anything by it, Sakura!' he smiles at my reaction while seeming enjoying he could finally reveal this all to me. I didn't know why he had waited but I assume Zabuza had something to do with it.

'You read them all?' I then ask while getting back up.
He proudly hums a yes. 'You can take them back, they are yours after all.'
'Keep them, you'll need them,' I laugh. 'Wait, on second thought I could use them to prepare for upcoming lessons and so…' I mutter. I then flash him a smile, suddenly understanding how great this really was. 'You have no idea how much you've just helped, Haku!'

'Thank Zabuza.'

I freeze at those words, realizing that I indeed have to thank him for this. My shoulders drop at the thought, uncertain how to feel towards the man anymore.
He always got under my skin but lately… he was getting under my… heart?

I swallow, placing my hand on it as I think of the possibility. I had come to know he was torn between two, a human and demon. I just never thought I'd be able to fight my way pass the demon to get to see the human. As I look at Haku, I realize he has always only seen the human part of the man.

'Why did he go out and get it for you?' I ask.
'It was my birthday,' he softly answers. 'I was stuck here because of school and he was out on a mission.'

'So he was in my house?' I'm actually thinking out loud now, feeling slightly violated at the idea of him walking in without permission. Then again, his entire stay there had been without permission. He didn't need any.

'Yes.' The answer was simple but the way he had said it made something hang in the air and between us.

'Sakura,' Haku slowly starts. 'I do believe he is very fond of you.'

'What do you want me to do?' I ask him, becoming slightly aggravated. I was not sure where he wanted to go with this either.

'What do you want to do?'

'How fond?' I instead ask, not willing to answer the question just yet. I was hardly able to grasp what I was feeling myself. I felt uncertain about it too. It was all too trickery and difficult with Zabuza. I was too convinced it was all a trap. Another plot twist.

'I think he has deeper feelings for you then he's willing to admit,' Haku kindly put it.
'Don't say such things without certainty,' I sharply reply.

'I fear he might end up harming himself because of his unwillingness to admit,' he then said. 'I know you see us like we are, Sakura. You always saw the good in me, please try to do the same for Zabuza. I too have demon inside but you never paid any attention to him.'

'Yours didn't threaten me. He made it hard to be ignored,' I harshly say.

I didn't know the truth for the longest time and… Suddenly I understood that the root of Zabuza's path started here and his story was just as tragic as Haku's. Was he trying to… actually make me like him?

'Don't you want me to be happy with someone one day, Sakura?' Haku's voice enigmatic and sweet sounding. I can't help but grin at his attempt to make me see it his way, certain the question hadn't actually anything to do with him personally. But I guess he kind of made a good point. I bite into my lip.

I hated his little manipulative ways, mostly because they were so tremendously effective.

I let out a heavy sigh. 'Of course!'

He stays silent and I immediately understood his deceptive manner of making me truly understand what he was asking me to do. I let out another sigh.

Shaking my head, I give him a loving look before pulling him in embrace. 'You are such cute kid,' I mutter.

Using the kitchen table as my desk, I have it piled up with notes and idea's for the upcoming project. My uncertainty has vanished since my pen touched paper. Growing more determined to put my shoulders underneath it and make it an absolute success. I had requested the material of their current way of studying and was bewildered at how poor their current information was.
Suddenly it didn't become a matter of willingness but a must. I wouldn't be able to turn around and leave, knowing in what state this village would be left in.
I admit it would take more work than I had anticipated but the idea of being personally so invested made it all seem worth it. Haku had kindly returned most of my books too.

I had yet to talk to Zabuza.

I admit Haku's words echoed in my head and at times distracted me. But having this to do, I no longer dwelled on what had happened and what my current situation was.

I could feel myself taking back control.

I halt when hearing the door open, knowing he was finally home.

I had thought about ways to talk to him. Though we were physically quite close, their was still a mental border we rarely dared to pass. Quiet conversations did occur once in a while but never too deep. At least not like that one day we had spent together.

'How was your day?' I ask on a light tone when he comes to stand next to me. I see him frown at the use of the table. I assumed the piles of papers weren't an invite to cozily eat dinner.
'Sorry,' I mumble, promising I'd clean up once I was done.

Noticing the books immediately, he glances at me out of the corner of his eye. Patiently waiting for me to start the conversation. I put my pen down, hesitant on what to do.
Getting up, I ask if he wants something to drink while walking pass him to get a glass of water for myself.

Grabbing my hand, he halts me. Startled I turn around to only find myself pushed against the counter. Without a saying a word, he kisses me. Pulling me up and placing me on top of the counter, so I'd almost be on his level of height. He continues wordlessly and I for some reason let myself get pulled in.

Eventually, I halt to gasp for air. I quietly take in our position, my hands on his shoulders. His hands on my waist and thigh, his brown eyes looking pleadingly into mine.
The way he looks at me makes me suddenly aware that I had yet to figure out how to read his emotions because most of the time I was clueless on what it all really meant to him.

My hands travel over his arms, intrigued at how just touching him made me feel. I wasn't planning on figuring him out for Mei or the sake of the village. I needed to know for myself.

You always look at me like you want me.

Pulling his face closer to mine, I continue what he started. Noting how his eyes fall shut when our lips touch. His hands can't seem to stay on one place and his behavior become erratic. Being almost vicious in order to please me.

But maybe you don't just want me.

I seemed to be able to see him more clearly when undressed, so I don't cease our actions.

Resting my head on his shoulder, I let out a sigh. My hair is sticking onto my back and I make a mental note to do something about it since it has been annoying me quite a lot lately.
I feel his hand picking up the strands and putting my hair to the side. I involuntarily shiver in response to the cool air.

I smile at feeling the movement. Wanting to see his current expression, I sit up and lean on my hand to watch him. His eyes are kind of hazy. He quirks up an eyebrow at my odd behavior.

'Why did you go back to the house?'

'Haku already told you,' he answered with a shrug, not feeling the need to explain himself.
'Yeah,' I nod. I bite my lip. 'Did you take anything else while you were there?'

Now leaning on his elbows, he clicks his tongue at the question. Slightly annoyed at being exposed, he reluctantly gives in. Though I'm surprised at his willingness, I try to keep my expression stoic.
Without saying a word he gets up and walks to his commode. I had never bothered to thoroughly go through his piles of clothes, since they were neatly folded and I didn't want to expose myself by making a mess.

Getting a pile of clothes out and placing it on the top, he wordlessly instructs me to come next to him. Slowly getting up from the bed, I curiously walk to him but halt when seeing a familiar garment lying in the drawer. The lilac color stands out next to all the black surrounding it.
My hand reaches out to touch it, suddenly remembering how soft the silk always felt on my skin.

I have to catch my breath at what the meaning is of this.

Roughly turning me around and snapping me out of my daze. His expression is harsh and I catch a glimpse of his usual vicious self. Perhaps angry he had exposed himself without a fight.
Snatching the clothing out of my hand and throwing it on the ground. I gasp but can't immediately find the wit the respond. Again placing me on something so I'd be on his height, he lets his forehead rest against mine.

'There you have all your answers,' he hisses. He mostly sounded angry with himself. Taking short breaths, he slightly pushes his forehead against mine. Slightly trying to intimidate.

'I…' I'm not sure what to say.

His hands softly caresses my face before becoming more aggressive and quickly going down my neck and eventually touching my breast explicitly. He seemed torn on what to do.

'I also can't stand it when another man is near you. The mere idea of them touching you like I have, is more than I can bare.' He's speaking through his teeth, obviously trying to hold back the spite still lingering inside of him.

Pulling me by my waist closer to him, his mouth wanders below my ear. Kissing me here and there.
'I'm just a very possessive man, Sakura.' His voice is chilling and I can sense a familiar viciousness that come through.
'Possessive or obsessive?' I smartly ask. In result he lets go of my waist to land his fist into the wall next to my head.

'I'm not weak.'

'I've never said you were,' I sharply remind him. I knew this conversation was hard for him, it was too personal. Too close for comfort.

And in all honesty, I didn't want to anger him.

So I place my hand on his cheek affectionately. Much like he had started. The small movement does seem to calm him a little but he can't disguise the distrust. His piercing gaze is almost terrifying. But I was at the point of no return. If I back down now, I'd never get so close again.

'Why can't you just tell me?' I whisper, trying to keep the situation under control with small things, such as lowering my voice and steadily keeping my arms around his neck.
'I already told you, I don't want to be betrayed nor do I want to betray anyone,' I pull him closer, something he allows me to do and I see his expression soften.

'Whatever is said between us, stays between us.'

Pressing my lips on his, I feel his tenseness slowly leave him. His muscles relax while following my lead, his arms snaking around me.

Pulling me up before letting me back down, I make sure the gap doesn't become too big, holding on tightly to his neck. Feeling his breath tickle my cheek, I give him a small smile.

'Haku kept nagging me to get those books,' he muttered. 'I got distracted.'
For the first time I hear a heavy sigh leave his lips. As if I had burden him with something he couldn't make sense of and the weight had been slowly killing him. His mouth tastes mine from time to time, trying to mostly distract himself.
'You had a book with you in Konoha,' I mutter while trying to maintain my focus on what was being said.
'You're smart,' he vaguely answers. 'I always was a good student,' he explained. 'Knowledge is power.'

Short sentences that had little meaning to most but I knew it was lot for him. I just nod in understanding. Realizing this man had never seen me as less but actually held more of a grudge towards me because he believed I was better than him. Smarter.

Everything that had been holding me back was now fleeting and I became more daring and less timid. Confidence was something I had been missing over the last few months but it was rapidly finding its way back. Straightening my posture, pushing myself against him while putting my arms slowly around his waist.

He lets out another sigh when realizing the loss of distance between us.

'What did you do?'

I shrug and shake my head, muttering I haven't done anything. 'You tried to get me in your bed, Zabuza.'

I note the shrill contrast of now and how this all had started.

The shame and anger I had felt because I had slept with him, while telling myself that I was in control and I could end it any given moment.

Only now I was in control.

Shameless of being around him. Naked. No longer feeling guilty either.
I realized was never going to make sense of everything simply because my mind wasn't wired the same as those who I had once, or still, loved.

The man in my arms was someone who I longed to touch. I catch our reflection in one of the windows. His tall figure ominously standing out compared to my petite one. My feet dangling frivolously next to his legs.

His hands travel over my waist, touching my ribs that were prominently sticking out. I was far too thin. Something he too had noticed, telling me I needed to gain some weight. Moving back down, touching the sensitive skin on my thigh before going over my legs and hooking under my knee to pull me closer to him.

'Tell me,' he whispered. 'Did you think of me?' His eyes glance down at the dress on the ground. 'I longed for your scent on me,' he confessed before loudly inhaling. I feel myself drawn into same kind of daze.

Closing my eyes when he gives one of his signature kisses. Never rushed or temperamental but lazily tasting every part. I didn't wonder if he knew what that did to me, I assumed by now he had figured it out.

'For now,' he said in between kisses. 'The plan is to keep you in my bed for as long as possible.'

In truth, I saw beyond his mask and suddenly I felt as if the demon had become completely transparent. I wasn't quite sure what to make out of these confessions. I doubt he was capable of giving me what I've always wanted but at the same time he had unknowingly said to me things I've longed to hear for years. My body was always a little too fervent in answering.

'And I'm willing to do that,' I tell him causing him to stop his movements. Looking a little confused at the hearing that, he awaits for me to explain myself.

'I can only trust you as much as you trust me.'

He smirks in response but I stay passive, wanting to hear an answer out of his mouth.

'I don't trust myself when I'm around you.' His voice was low, huskily. I tried to keep my focus.

'But you can trust me.' Grabbing my chin to make sure I was hearing him clearly. 'I wouldn't be telling you all this, if you couldn't.'

A feeling of victory comes over me. Finally I had beaten the demon.

Kind of short but I felt this was a good place to end it. Next chapter is finished so I'll be posting it soon, probably the day after tomorrow!

And thank you for your lovely (and sometimes quite hilarious) reviews! They all mean the world to me :)

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