Your smile, heals my soul
Disclaimer: I own none of the Naruto or Inuyasha characters, I only own Shantakai, her clan, her clan's kekkai genkai, and her clothes (And not even some of those).
Author's Note: This one is also quite short, even though it seems long on paper and took like an hour to write on paper. Whatever, reviews are appreciated and so is criticism. I was doing some research and I found out that Haku is 15 when he meets Naruto but in my story he is 12, just so you know . Squiggles and cookies, Alaki
P.S. Thank you to my wonderful beta reader / best friend. What would I do without her? I know, all my chapters would have as many grammatical errors as the first one! Sorry about the slight posting delay, beta's computer wouldn't let her dowload so she couldn't edit before I left.
As he was leading me I stumbled, I was too weak to move on my own. Haku felt the pull on his hand that was in mine when I fell and he turned around worriedly. He saw that I couldn't get up and so he lifted me and started to carry me. As he was walking he looked at me and started talking perhaps in an effort to distract me from my embarrassment.
"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly, "When was the last time you ate?"
I shrugged in reply. I was unsure if I was alright and I couldn't remember how long ago I ate that end of bread.
Haku smiled yet again, it seemed as though he could tell it reassured me and reminded me of happier times. He continued talking,probably to distract me.
"Why am I asking?" He shook his head. "You wouldn't have fallen if you were alright, and I haven't seen you eat for at least the last three days. Don't worry. When we get back to Zabuza's hideout, we'll feed you and let you rest until you are fit to start training!" He smiled, and paused in thought as it faded. "You may need to borrow clothes from me as well. Those clothes look very over-worn. When was the last time you were able to change clothing?"
I flushed in embarrassment, and shrugged. The rags were all that was left of my once beautiful kimono and the pants I had worn when I lived in the village.I'd been the leader's prized pupil, so the clothes I was given were beautiful. A short indigo and crimson kimono, patterned with roses. Underneath it I wore black pants and a black tank-top. This was the outfit I always wore because it was deceptively beautiful and often fooled people into thinking I was just another one of those absolutely useless girls, but it was also highly practical for fighting in because it allowed me to move freely and do whatever was needed. I think Haku noticed I was lost in thought because he waited until I nodded in agreement with his assessment before he nodded back, and continued talking.
"I gathered from what you said earlier that you were once a shinobi. Were you skilled?"
I nodded with a look of extreme sadness on my face. I had been the best, however, when my father packed us off I had been too young to be formally recognized with a hitai-ate. Master had rules about the age you could formally become a ninja because of something that had happened in his former village. He had been about to make an exception for me because I was better than all but him, his personal doctor and my cousin, all three of which were much older than me. My cousin was 4 years older, the doctor was 10, and the Leader by about 40. The Leader was going to make me a true shinobi and claim me as his right-hand.
I came back to my senses and saw that Haku was looking at me closely.
"You seem to be about the same age as me," he observed. "You didn't receive a hitai-ate in your village did you? Don't worry." He smiled sweetly... again. "Zabuza and I will amend that as well. Speaking of Zabuza, it appears that we have finally caught up with him."
I turned my head to the front and saw that we had indeed caught up with the man. It appeared to me that he had continued walking slowly after he left us.
Haku called out to him, "Zabuza. She's agreed, and what's more, she was a shinobi-in-training before she lived on the streets."
Zabuza turned and looked at us with eyes that showed he was almost smiling. He walked over to us and asked me, "So, what is your name girl?"
I did my best to respond in the vaguely remembered proper form and choked out "Hajimamashite, Tainu Shantakai, sensei, dozo yoroshite."
After I had forced out the words I started coughing and couldn't stop. The pain from my dry throat was too much and I blacked out while I was still in Haku's arms.