Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto characters!

Author's Note: Sorry for the late-ish update...I have been busy this week with homework, so it was difficult to find time to write. Forewarning, next week their will not be an update, because I have to study for Midterms, sooooo the week after is when I'll most likely have the story updated! In the meantime please review, that way I can make any revisions or additions necessary for the story to become better. I would like to thank three new supporters (what I consider a supporter anyways :)): dragonsfae, special-youkoai, and Melyss.

Warning! I (think) forgot to mention that I will be gender-bendering a few characters for the purpose of this story.

Chapter 3

It has been over three years since the trio have employed themselves under the Lady

Haku. She was young for being the head of a household, the reason being her father recently passed away not too long ago leaving his estate in her possession. As for her mother, she died during childbirth. The lady of the house was beautiful. She had chestnut hair - that was usually kept up in a bun with ornament pins, deep milk chocolate eyes that were filled with compassion, and fair skin.

Becoming knights under the Lady Haku was a feat considering there were many aiming for the same position, and it was thanks to Zabuza that they were able to achieve their positions. It took some persuasion and wisdom on Zabuza's part that they achieved their goal in finding accommodations. Konan and Sakura became the Lady Haku's most trusted hand maidens after they saved her from a treasonous plot with the help of Zabuza. Zabuza then replaced the previous knight who served as Lady Haku's personal guard, when he had decided to retire.

As the months passed and Sakura got to know the lady more and more, she, with the approval of the others, decided to tell the Lady Haku about everything: from their captive life in seclusion and her relations, to her mother's death, and up to the point where she became employed. The decision was a good one, because the Lady Haku came to trust them even more so than before (after all you can never be to careful), and in that she became close to them. With Sakura and Konan they were her confidantes, close friend, and the younger sisters she wished she had. Sakura was the sweet, but mischievous sister, while Konan was the mature, yet daredevil of a sister. As for Zabuza, over the years Haku came to grow an attachment to him; an attachment that she previously have yet to feel and the two girls could see it for what it is. Zabuza seemed to hold a similar attachment if not the same, but something apparently was keeping him from taking any further actions.

"Sakura, can you go grab Zabuza?" Haku elegantly glided to the window as Sakura quickly left the room.

Reaching the training grounds, where she knew Zabuza to be at this time of the evening, she spotted him training with some of the other knights.

"Well if it isn't the princess. Come to train with us?" Hearing one of the guys' comments Zabuza stopped swinging his huge sword to turn to welcome the visitor.

"I hope you're not here to mess with my guys again."

"Oh, come on! It wasn't that horrible." Those words earned Sakura a pointed glare, which she returned with a smile. "Plus, I told you I won't mess with "your" guys anymore. And I'm not even here for that." As her demeanor changed, so did Zabuza's. He looked to his men and relieved them from their training early seeing as something is wrong.

"What?"

"I'm not too sure, but Haku wants you."

The pinkette and the stern giant returned to the study in silence and were then met with the sight of Konan and Haku whispering by the window.

"Zabuza's here." Hearing the announcement the girls jumped slightly. "If you won't be needing-"

"No. You and Konan are to stay, because what I have to say involves everyone of you."

The group all took a seat around the center desk as Haku sorted out her thoughts. "I received a letter today from the King of Aki that requests my presence. The invitation is for a celebration to help his daughter(s) to find a husband, and I want you three to accompany me."

"I heard it's very beautiful, especially this time of the spring. And I've often wondered what visiting a palace would be like." Zabuza shook his head at Konan's response. He can already tell where the conversation is going though and he did not like it one bit.

"It is a celebration, one I cannot refuse; a celebration in which I'm sure other prominent families will attend. Meaning, there will be the chance of the Harunos being there." The atmosphere shifted to silence and disappointment.

"I think-"

"I say we go." If Zabuza was any other man his eyes probably would have protruded from his sockets.

"Sakura…did you just hear-"

"I heard. And I say we go."

Haku was surprised; as surprised as Zabuza was at the moment. "I thought you'd refuse, especially knowing how much you hate them."

"Absolutely not."

Sakura brushed off Zabuza's words as if he had yet to speak. "First, I do hate them very much, but they have not made any moves in the last three years."

"That means nothing. They could decide to take action now with you so near."

"I doubt that. They wouldn't be searching for me there of all places. After all, the last place anyone would think to look would be under his or her own nose. Secondly, I too want to see this palace."

Although, Zabuza can see the logic, since it was true that there were no suspicious movements in the last three years. But, that does not mean that he does not have any reservations about going somewhere that will be holding such a celebration with so many strangers.

"Zabuza, relax. If we go you can keep an eye on us in addition to you guarding Haku."

"Konan's right. We are safest when we are with you." Konan and Sakura gave him their best sweet, pleading smile.

Looking over to Haku was his downfall sadly, because she joined the two with her own sweet smile. He was doomed. Keeping up appearances he pretended to mull over the decision some more before agreeing. He didn't want any of them to know how he was wrapped around their fingers, or else they may try to get away with murder one day. However, now that he has agreed it means that he will have to keep an ever vigilant watch from now on.

"Then please prepare for our departure."

That night as most of the inhabitants were sleeping and the creatures of night roamed, in one part of the home one girl was dreaming; dreaming memories of the past.

"NOOOO! I DON'T WANNA!"

"Shut it, you brat. You will be going to a better place now, so shut yur crying!"

"Leave him alone!"

"Why you little…"

"KONAN!"

"Yahiko! YAHIKO! YAHI-"

"Konan! Konan wake up!"

Konan can hear a voice urgently whispering her name to pull her back to reality, but she was not sure she wanted to return, at least not yet anyways. But pulled she was.

"Wh…Sakura?"

"You were having a nightmare…you were whimpering…and you called his name…"

"Sorry…I'm fine now."

"Konan…" Sakura was distressed to see Konan so distraught. Unlike the day her mother passed she was the on to hold on this time. "The celebration is one of the biggest that is going to be held since sometime…knowing that I'm sure even your brother will be there too…You will see him again if it is the last thing I do. "

Author's Note: Sorry I wanted to introduce more characters than just Haku, but I thought this chapter ending here was fine and the others will definitely show up in the next chapter. I hope this chapter was not horrible, since I've been sleeping less and pulled an all nighter last night. I hope those who are reading enjoyed the story. Just in case the author's note at the beginning was not read, I have gender-bendered some characters for the purpose of this story, as a forewarning.