I'm really sorry, Nobukane. I wanted to get this chapter up before I left for the weekend (triiiip! -dances-) so I couldn't really Rp the Naoko scene with you XD;;; Please tell me if anything is OOC for her, and I'll change it. I decided to just pretend like she was a canon character (becuase she's awesome like that and Kisame needs love so she totally should be XD)
So... yeah XD I'm getting really nervous. The part of the story that's worrying me is fast-approaching XD;;; I'll try and keep my rambling to a minimum today.
Thank you sooo much to the people still reading this n.n a big hug to the everybody for their lovely reviews, I'm always glad to hear what you guys liked, and what I should be more clear about. Please enjoy!
Naruto: Masashi Kishimoto Aoyama Naoko: Nobukane
"Mission accomplished."
The kage glanced up from the maps he had been attending to, his mouth pressed into a thin line. "Both of them...?" Again Zabuza found it difficult to repress a smirk as he lied through his teeth. "Good, good!" With the confirmation, the older ninja relaxed somewhat, and smiled. "The villagers have been in a panic; they all saw the aftermath, and, of course, drew the proper conclusion about the child..."
Zabuza nodded. He'd seen the wreckage; it would be very difficult to explain that any other way. Especially to those who have lived long enough to see the initial massacres.
He excused himself, and finally allowed his triumphant grin to surface as he turned to leave. Now, to get home, and deal with the thing. He should have plenty of time, before-
"Oh, and Ume was just here. She completed her mission early; she should be home now."
...Before that happened.
The demon strode at an easy pace until he was out of sigh from the office door, before breaking into a sprint, letting fly a long string of the most vulgar curses his language had to offer.
vvvvvvvvvv
It was creeping back into her system again.
That stupid, nameless, directionless panic had begun to seep back into her veins as the thrill of battle and the hunt faded. Her mission had kept it at bay; she'd had a focus, something to think about. She just had to stay busy, and the sickness left her alone.
She'd ask for her next mission as soon as she got herself cleaned up, and rested a little. She was still covered in blood; the smell was starting to get on her nerves. The thought of a nice warm (for a short while. Their warm water never lasted more than a few minutes) put a smile on her face as she stepped through the doorway with a happy sigh.
That smile, however, faded almost instantly as the sound of splashing met her ears; Kubikiri hocho was nowhere to be seen, so the house should have been unoccupied. The kunoichi's hands balled into tight fists, a growl slipping from between clenched teeth.
That kid. Again.
"Son of a bitch!" Kotone stormed over to the bathroom door, throwing it open to drive out the intruder. "Suigetsu, you get the fuck out of my goddamned bathroom this second, you stupid...brat...?" She blinked, her shouts dying.
There was indeed a little boy sitting in their bathtub. But it sure as hell wasn't Hozooki Suigetsu.
He (an unintentional glance down assured her that it was, in fact, a boy) was smaller, though perhaps the same age. He was fair, dark brown eyes widened in abject terror as he tried to hide under the edge of the tub from the strange jonin who had just been shouting at him. His long, black hair was matted, and disheveled; an absolutely filthy, tattered shirt had been discarded nearby, and the child's living situation was made quite clear.
She stepped back, still quite dazed, and shut the door. As expected, he was still there when she opened it again. They blinked at each other.
"H-hey." Her mouth twitched into a confused little cringing-smile.
"Hello." His voice was low, timid.
Her little half smile wasn't nearly as reassuring as it should have been, and her attempt to fix it probably did nothing to help. "That must be pretty cold." She could fake nearly anything to get close to, or terrify a target. Actually being sincere was much more awkward.
"I don't mind."
Or perhaps it wasn't quite so awkward; she smiled without really meaning to. Cute little thing...
But how the heck had he gotten there? The kitchen was untouched... If a street kid had actually worked up the nerve to break into a home, bathing would be the last thing on their mind; she knew.
Her attention flickered to the rattling of the doorknob, and creaking of the hinges as another entered, and she flew to the entrance. Zabuza started as he opened the door to her crossed arms and frown. "Explain." She demanded, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
He sighed; there was no point trying to play dumb. That stupid mask of her's always hid her expression when working, but if she had an 'interrogator face' he imagined this would be it.
He pushed past her, laying his weapon in it's place before taking a seat on the couch; unhurried by her almost-glare. He'd come up with a story, of course, but he'd have liked a little more time to ensure the boy could keep it straight. Telling the Mizukage's lapdog the truth was far too risky. But then again, so was lying to the woman who ran the department of torture and interrogations.
The trick was not to lie, exactly. Omitting certain damning facts, and bending the events to suit the situation was much less dangerous than an outright untruth. He motioned for her to sit down, and started to explain himself; not bothering to mention the mission that had sent him to find the boy, or his...talents. That was indeed to be kept between the two of them.
She made something of a face, but nodded finally. He should have had no reason to lie, and she trusted him to begin with; foolish little thing that she was, in that regard.
"So're you going to sign him up with the academy, then?"
Zabuza shook his head. "Too old; he's nearly ten."
"That doesn't matter. We've got guys making chunin at eighteen now."
He repeated the negative motion. "He's a bit... soft, in some regards. I'd rather train that out of him myself." He glanced over at her, and relaxed a bit at her raised eyebrow. Not quite suspicion, but it would have been strange if she thought nothing about this unusual. "I'd prefer we keep this secret until Haku's ready. I'm sure Mizukage sama has other more...typical... students in mind for me?"
"Hm." She seemed to accept the explanation. "You going to brand him?"
"No," He replied quickly. "After all, he's not the village's; he's mine."
He stood, stretching lazily before plodding off to the bathroom to make sure the boy hadn't died of hypothermia. The bath water should have been freezing by now, and he hadn't made any sort of noise.
"Why that one?" Kotone asked, bemused as she sprawled to occupy the now vacant portion of the couch.
"Hm?"
" At the academy alone, there are probably a dozen kids, better trained, more suited for ninja life; if he's as kind as you say he is. There must have been hundreds of other bridges over the years; hundreds of other kids just like him. Why that one?"
A smile pulled at the corner of the demon's mouth. "Because," He started, with a tiny little chuckle to himself. "Of all those hundreds of kids, on all those hundreds of bridges... He was the only one who didn't run off with his tail between his legs when I walked by. He knew I could destroy him, but he looked me in the eye anyway. That one wasn't afraid of me; I value that. I've no time for cowards."
The easiest way to pass of a lie was to not lie at all.
vvvvvvvv
"Excuse me? E-excuse me...?" Something grabbed at her shoulder, and shook her a bit.
The kunoichi groaned and rolled over, pulling her blankets over her head. "A while longer." She mumbled sleepily. The thing persisted; she swatted at it with a clawed hand. She cracked an eye open and propped herself up on her elbows when the thing squeaked. Zabuza didn't make noises like that... "Shit," She breathed as she woke up completely, and realized what must have happened. "Are you alright?" Haku nodded at her, wide eyed.
To her relief, she hadn't hit the kid, and he appeared to be alright. The kunoichi felt like smacking herself. There was a small, untrained child around; she needed to be careful. Civilians were amazingly fragile; especially the young ones. Thankfully she didn't keep makibishi on her floor anymore.
"So, what do you want?" He winced, and she echoed it. Had that been too blunt? She had enough trouble speaking to civilians (not that she ever did, they avoided her like a plague) and as much talking to the children she'd overseen occasionally at the academy. Civilian children must be impossible to understand; she had no idea why Zabuza would even attempt it. She frowned suddenly, and cut him off as he tried to reply. "Why are you still wearing that stuff?" She scrunched her face up at the boy's appearance. He was wearing the same ratty clothing as the night before, and despite the icy temperature of the air and the floorboards being colder still, he was barefoot.
"That was what I had wanted to ask you. Zabuza San was called away early this morning, and he said he had intended to get me something to wear today. He said you would take me, instead." The kid- Haku, she reminded herself- seemed a tad less meek now that the conversation had an express purpose. Perhaps he made sense after all. In fact, he was pretty articulate.
She sighed. He had only gotten home the night before; She certainly had bad luck with scheduling, and could barely remember the last time they'd really been in the village simultaneously for any length of time.
Not that it mattered, of course. So what if she never saw him? Why was that a problem? She cringed again, and ignored her own answer.
"Have you eaten yet?" She pushed at a bleary eye with the heel of her palm as she forced herself out of bed. Haku shook his head, and she sighed as chilled footsteps took her to the kitchen. "What the heck do little kids eat?" Kotone muttered as she rifled through the near-empty cupboards. "We may have some miso soup in the fridge; want it?" He was standing a fair way away when she glanced over her shoulder for his reply. It took her a minute to realize why this was not ideal; if he was going to be living with them, she supposed it'd be best if they warmed up to one another. Not that she was very good at getting... familiar, she supposed was the right term, with people, but she should at least try.
"Hey, Ki-" She sighed. Names were more personal, it'd be best to use his. "Hey Haku." She corrected. "Why are you standing all the way over there? I don't bite." Ok, so that was a lie. "Often." she added as an after thought.
"I'm not supposed to be talking to you." He answered simply.
She raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
"I'm not supposed to say."
Kotone sighed. This was going to be a very long day.
"Eat up, then we're going." The tall woman informed him sharply as she turned, and examined the small amount of money she and Zabuza had in reserve. Things had been tighter than ever, financially; everyone was feeling it. Even working as Zabuza, herself, and her subordinates all were, it was difficult to scrape a living together. Things were just as hard for the villagers. She glanced guiltily over her shoulder, her flat order echoing in her own ears. She repressed a shudder when it occurred to her exactly who it was she sounded like.
She was not her father.
"Did you see much of the village on the way here?" She offered a smile in apology, and when he beamed in reply, she knew it had been accepted.
"No," His voice was odd. It was quiet, and even, but still warm somehow; strangely familiar. His hair looked cleaner, as did the rest of his person, but it was still badly tangled. She'd fix it when they got back.
vvvvvvvvv
"So how long were you on your own?" It was her first real attempt at conversation, and the boy kicked at his new sandals, lifting his feet and smiling as it dangled from his toe.
"I...I'm not sure." He replied, after a moment's thought.
"Well what was the weather like?" She was trying to be helpful, she supposed, unwilling to let the talk die out; she wasn't sure she'd be able to start it up again.
He smiled again, mirthlessly, and gave a slight shrug. "It was snowing. But it's always snowing." Ah. Kotone nodded; the boy was from the mountains, then. Basically one season all year; it would have been difficult enough to tell day from night, let alone fall from winter.
"Something wrong?"
"No... It's just..." He beamed up at her. "It's nothing, Kotone san." She smiled in return, but it was uneasy. He genuinely was happy, and it seemed a bit sudden for a kid who had just lost his parents. Then again, if she remembered correctly, the effort of simply surviving on her own had left little time for lamenting; and the thrill of finding a place in the academy, where she could serve her village, had been enough to make her smile. Perhaps it was the same? Was that normal for someone outside of a shinobi family? She wasn't sure how civilian children were raised.
"Ah, here we are." She quickened her pace, only to slow again when she noticed how Haku now had to scramble to keep up with her longer strides. Her search for a store that carried clothing small enough for Haku- who was apparently nine; by his size, she'd guessed younger- and it had led her to an unfamiliar part of town. She led him to the doorway, and nodded her head in the direction of the racks of smaller clothing inside. "Go on ahead. Come get me when you've found something; I'll wait here."
"Why?" The doe eyed look he gave her, inclining his head, pulled a smile to the corners of her mouth. Odd though he was, Haku was indisputably adorable.
"I think I make the shopkeepers and customers nervous. You saw how they were staring at me in that shoe store?" Haku nodded, and hurried into the little shop, hobbling slightly. His feet were cut, and bruised from time spent barefoot in the ice and snow, and though he made no complaint, they must have pained him.
She turned her gaze to the sky, idly. It was a singly expanse of dirty grey, threatening another snowfall. The temperature was a steady freezing, and much to her surprise, this didn't seem to bother Haku in the slightest. She supposed it was nothing compared to the street in one of the farming villages in the mountains, inland.
He poked around for a while, and she kept watch out of the corner of her eye. She saw him motion to the man behind the counter, before running to her, and showing her what he'd found. She examined the sleeves and pantlegs, and seemed likely to stop at his knees and elbows. She raised a scrutinizing eyebrow. "You're going to be warm enough in this?" Like she was one to talk.
He nodded gleefully, so she sighed her defeat, and handed him the appropriate sum of money. If Zabuza lost his student to hypothermia because she'd let him buy summer clothes, he'd never let her hear the end of it.
A wet flake of snow drifted from the steely heavens above, and Kotone sighed as it caught in her dark eyelashes. More bad weather, more difficult mission conditions. Which meant less available missions, and less work to distract her. She'd done pretty well today, in that regard, and she supposed Haku was distraction enough. Having someone to look after had kept her thoughts from turning bleak.
Haku... He was nine, wasn't he? She shook her head. It was impossible to believe that she'd ever been so tiny, and it was odd now, remembering Zabuza that way. Now that she really thought back, nine years old was when he had...
She jumped, and spun around to the shop once again as a crash and splintering wood met her ears. There was a tower of crates from the floor to the ceiling next to the cash that Haku had just started away from with his newly purchased clothing, and it wobbled ominously as the bottom crate gave way.
Kotone's body acknowledge the problem before her mind was given the chance, and she flew forward at the falling wooden containers, about to crush her charge. Her feet left the ground, and she whirled around to smash the danger before it fell on- empty space?
He was gone.
Pale eyes widened in confusion, she lost all sight of technique, and her kick fell apart. She simply collided with the crate, hitting the ground ungracefully, and only just managed to escape the others.
"Kotone San! Are you alright?" The cry came from the other end of the shop, and she stared, jaw agape, at the child.
She hadn't seen him move. No untrained human was that fast.
The shopkeeper had ducked under his desk, and only just poked his head out to survey the damage. Having missed the scene entirely, he could only cower again as the kunoichi brought herself to her full height, and approached the boy.
"That was impossible..." She breathed, brows furrowed, and head shaking side to side in denial.
Panic filled the round, deep brown eyes, and appeared to be on the verge of tears; muttering something to himself, and biting his lip. "Hey, easy... calm down..." Kotone reached out to lay a hand on the boy's shoulder.
He bolted.
The boy was a flash of black hair, and his newly purchased brown and blue clothes. She gave chase, pursuing the fleeing child into the street, and the snow that had begun to fall. The streets were not exceptionally crowded, the weather having chased most people indoors; she was grateful for this, as it let her keep an eye on him as he darted around a corner at a speed that defied all logic.
The streets became less and less empty, until she found herself sprinting headlong down unfamiliar, abandoned streets. But they weren't unfamiliar... She'd been here before; as if in a dream, or a past life. From the buildings to the make of the road, everything seemed known somehow...
She'd nearly caught up now, and pushed herself to an even quicker pace. This wasn't happening. She was swift by jonin standards, and this kid had matched her speed easily... Closer now, she could hear the words he was repeating to himself frantically. "I'm sorry..." He whispered to no one. "I wasn't supposed to... No one was supposed to see... I'm sorry...!"
She extended a hand again, and finally closed the gap between them as she clasped his shoulder; careful not to injure. "Hey, cut that out. No one's going to hurt you; you can stop-" The boy didn't hear her; he squeezed his eyes shut tight, and wrenched his shoulder away, and continued his terror driven flight. He'd been told not to do anything...unusual; he'd failed. Worse still, Kotone san had seen. If what Zabuza san had told him about her was true, then... then... He- more importantly, Zabuza san would be...
The Kunoichi's eyes flew open, as a much more tangible cold welled up in her abdomen; Kotone fell to her knees, doubled over as she proceeded to vomit up a mouthful of blood. Shaking in surprise, she glanced down at the wound that had seemingly come from nowhere; realization stopping her heart for a beat's time. What had been a puddle moments earlier had been fashioned- by Haku's will- into a crude, jagged sort of projectile that had caught her completely off guard, and was now imbedded somewhere near her kidneys.
She raised her eyes, and let out a small noise of surprise as she caught sight of him. The boy had stopped, and was staring at her, hand over his mouth. He'd apparently been waken from his frightened stupor, and, much to her alarm, ran towards her. He stopped before the injured jonin, mouthing words of apology that hadn't the strength to be real words. "Kotone San, I didn't mean- I would never-" She sat up, careful of the imbedded icicle, and smiled. "I didn't mean to." He managed.
Kotone's smile was genuine. She remembered Misao's stories of Hinageshi chan- cut down long before her time because of nothing more than blood- and felt no fear of the little ice user sniffling; snowflakes dotting his jet black hair. "That's ok. No harm done. I'm fine, see? It was my fault; I scared you."
"Y-you're not going to call me a monster?" The boy whispered, eyes beseeching. "You're not going to kill me?"
"Haku, you came back.. If you were a monster, you'd have left me here to die, right?" She grinned again, and began to claw at the clumsy work of ice his panic had created. "Haku, who told you that I'd do either of those things?"
"Zabuza San." He answered quietly, before his tone became more urgent. "Kotone San, we should find you a medic right now!" The boy insisted as she got to her feet, pulling at the arm she was using to remove the thing. "If you pull it out, it will bleed more-"
"No," she answered quickly. "Haku no one can see this. They'll know. I can deal with it, at home. It's alright, I've had much worse, don't worry yourself. I hurt myself all the time, if I say it's a training injury, no one will think twice about it." Kotone finally pulled the thing free, and the wound began to seep blood through her yukata. Haku's face scrunched up miserably, but she reminded him again not to worry. It did little good, and the concern stayed very much present in
his eyes. His small hand took a hold of her's as they walked; almost protectively. Kotone chuckled to herself. The entire situation was overwhelming, and all together too much to deal with; she would panic later.
"A...are you really not mad at me?"
"No. I've a few choice words for your sensei, though." She answered through grit teeth. "You're in danger here; what's important now is getting you home before anyone sees you."
"Kotone Chan?"
The call was close by, around a corner, but the voice was familiar. Hikyuu tensed, sharp canine teeth clicking together as she growled to herself. Only one person called her that, and this was not the time... "Go. Keep walking. If anyone asks, you don't know me." She whispered, stepping in front of the boy, and hiding him from the approaching tracker, and the petite kunoichi following behind him.
"Hiraku kun," She greeted with a forced cheerfulness. "And Shinju san. What are you guys doing out here?"
"Some of the villagers were mentioned a crazy woman who had just torn by. I assumed it was you." Shinju frowned. "Kotone, not that I'm surprised, but why is there a gaping hole in your stomach?"
"It's not gaping." She replied feebly. "I was just sparring myself; one of my water clones kinda got away from me, it's no big deal."
The medic ignored her, and moved to examine the wound; Kotone hissing in distaste at the invasion of her privacy. "This doesn't look like it was made with a kunai."
"I moved funny after I got hit."
"Kotone, why does it feel cold?" The medic prodded at the wound through her torn yukata and metal netting.
"I tried packing snow near it." Kotone lied. "I figured the cold would slow up the bleeding."
Shinju's expression flickered momentarily as she locked eyes with the boy who'd poked his head out from his hiding place in an alleyway nearby. "Take your shirt off; I'm fixing it." The statement was sharp, and seemingly out of nowhere; her eyes somewhere else entirely. Kotone knew better than to draw attention to him by turning.
"What, out here? It's fine, really." The younger girl blurted, hands held, palm outwards, in her own defense.
"There's no one around, relax. Hiraku, if you wouldn't mind...?"
The young man blinked at his sister, before making a face. "I don't know. Wouldn't it be best to take Kotone chan to the hospital?"
"It's nothi-"
Shinju stepped closer, and motioned to the streets behind with a flicker of her eyes. "You want my brother to go away, right?" She whispered. Kotone agreed quite suddenly, and Hiraku was forced to retreat.
Shinju waited until her younger brother disappeared around a bend in the road before pushing past Kotone, who followed mumbling excuses and protests as they approached Haku's hiding place.
Kotone sighed in relief as the alley appeared empty. The kid had sense enough to hide, thank the gods. "Sit down." The medic ordered, and to simplify things, Kotone obeyed; and again when she was instructed to pull her arms from her sleeves, and remove her mesh shirt. The injury was a fair bit worse than she'd first thought; Haku's inadvertent attack had been a surprise even to him, and so she hadn't seen it coming. She kicked herself internally for letting her guard down, but honestly, she'd never imagined babysitting to be a life or death occurrence. Kotone grit her teeth, feeling both vulnerable and utterly foolish as Shinju lay her hand over the wound, medical chakra spilling from her fingers to the damaged tissue. Sure, Kasumi had seen her scars already- she'd been the one to treat them- but it was humiliating none the less.
"Who was that?"
"Who was who?" The younger, though taller woman answered.
"That boy."
"No idea." This would have been much more plausible if the aforementioned boy that she apparently didn't know hadn't scampered back into the alleyway right then. Not to mention that he squeaked, called her by name, and scurried faithfully back to her side. "What the heck are you doing her?" She growled, now frustrated beyond all belief with the turn her day had taken. "I thought I told you to go home."
"You did," He admitted brightly. "But then I remembered something Zabuza san told me."
"And what would that be?"
"Not to listen to anything you told me." He replied innocently; before his face fell again. "Kotone san, what happened to you?" It took her a moment to realize the boy was gaping at her scars, and smiled gently.
"See? I told you I've had worse." She raised a hand a ruffled his hair. He sort of giggled, and she took this as a good sign; hopefully he didn't still feel bad about the whole near-impalement thing. It was someone else'sfault entirely that she hadn't a clue about Haku's abilities, and she intended to give that person a piece of her mind. This entire situation made a great deal more sense, now, though; "why that one" indeed.
The petite medic blinked at the little boy, her unusually soft grey eyes widened slightly. "Hi." She greeted. "My name is Shinju." He returned it shyly, giving his own name after a moment's hesitation, and the medic smiled knowingly. Shinju returned to treating the now mostly healed hole in the other kunoichi's stomach, still smiling gently to herself.
"Kotone san, you look awfully pale..."
"She's lost a fair bit of blood," Shinju agreed. "But Kotone's an idiot," She chuckled. "and I doubt I can expect any more from her than getting a good night's rest. I can fix this completely by myself, it should be alright."
"I'd say she should take some time off. Can't be too careful, can you senpai?"
And then, all of a sudden, Kotone hated her life again. She was stupid, stupid, stupid for not taking her maneki neko with her, and so all the badluck around seemed to be converging around her today. And now there were four people in the alley. She reminded herself that they weren't in an alley as much as they were outside -lots of people were outside- but she still felt a bit panicky.
She couldn't even sneak poor Haku in and out of the village without being caught; not once, but twice, now. Kotone repressed a sob; she was, without question, the worst ninja ever. "Naoko, what are you doing here?"
"I saw Kasumi kun, he told me you were hurt. I wanted to make sure you were...alright." Naoko let out a low whistle, taking in the fellow interrogator's appearance. "Wow, those are...really something." She cringed, tracing the crisscrossing scars on her own chest to illustrate her point. "Scar tissue isn't as good as the stuff it's replacing. Should you really be fighting? Your movement must be affected."
Kotone rolled her eyes at her subordinate's hopeful tone; thankfully, Shinju jumped in. "That's what I thought as well. However, Kotone's made a full recovery, and there doesn't seem to be any physical effects. She's in as good condition as ever, Naoko San." She sat back on her heels, finished the healing, and Kotone returned her clothing to it's proper place, and hid her marred skin hurriedly.
The bright blue haired girl had something to reply, but stopped. "Haku kun?"
The boy's smile widened, and he ran towards her, throwing his arms around her waist. "Naoko San!"
"Wait, you guys... know each other?" That was it. The universe had ceased to make sense. Kotone was in some bizarre dream, she had to be. This was not happening; there was no way that this was real.
Haku nodded gleefully. "Zabuza san had to go and report to your Kage, so he told me where to go to get home, and I went by myself. I met Naoko San along the way; she was very kind to me."
Kotone waited before the hug had run it's course before standing, and taking the child by the hand again. She thanked Shinju, excused herself from Naoko's conversation, and assured the other she would be well enough to work immediately. This didn't seem to make Aoyama happy at all, so Kotone picked up her pace as she left.
"Kotone San? How do you know where we're going?" Haku asked, "you said you'd never been this way before."
"I think I used to live here, Haku kun." She replied, eyes trailing over the scene, matching it to a distant memory in hr mind's eye. It all seemed so small, now... "A very long time ago."
vvvvvvvvv
Kubikiri Hocho was propped up beside Kiyoshi when they returned home. Kotone wasted no time in confronting it's owner.
"Oi." The demon looked up from whatever it was he was reading over, and apparently struggling with. He motioned to reply, but the bloodied hole tear in her clothing, and the splintered wires sticking out at odd angles caught his attention, and his brow furrowed.
"What happened?" He stood, taking a step forward; always more vexed than concerned.
"On, nothing." She scathed, face falsely cheery. "I was stabbed with a puddle's all."
The man's eyes widened for a second, as he realized the implications of the statement. "Alright, so he's a kekkei genkai user-" He answered slowly, and cautiously, only to be cut off again.
"I don't care if he's from the moon," She hissed. "Why didn't you tell me? That's what I'm angry about."
"It's none of your business." Was the clipped reply.
"None of my-?!" Kotone snarled at him. "And just where did he get the idea that I'd kill him if I found out?"
"You would." He replied, tone even. "There's as much chance of you turning him in as not, more even. I'm surprised he's still alive."
"Why would I... I'd never...I would never." She shook her head, eyes closed. Haku had plunked down on the floor, off to the side, watching the back and forth with wide eyes and a sinking feeling in his heart.
"Yes you would. If your kage asked it of you, you'd betray him without a second thought; admit it." Now his eyes were narrowed as well, and his tone had risen slightly. Kotone shouted something back, sharp teeth bared; Haku didn't hear. He wasn't listening to the words anymore. This was all much too familiar, and a wicked memory had taken hold of his heart.
"Please stop!"
They did, and both turned to look at the boy, who stared right back. It took a moment for him to comprehend that it had been his voice that had interrupted them, and he clasped his hands over his mouth. "I'm sorry..." What was he thinking? He had no right to meddle in his sensei's affairs. Ashamed, and apologetic, he darted from the room, and shut himself inside the closest one with a door; it turned out to be Kotone San's.
"What was that all about?" Kotone had calmed down abruptly, and raised an eyebrow at the now closed door.
"I'm not sure."
The kunoichi made a face, stepping closer; her stance and expression no longer furious. "Zabuza kun, this is insane. If you're caught hiding him you'll be-"
"Put to death, I know."
"But... he's not dangerous at all. Perhaps if we spoke to Mizukage Sama, everything would be alright? The wars on the bloodline families have been over for decades-"
"So he says." Zabuza spat sardonically.
"What?"
"I was supposed to kill him." He nodded at the Kunoichi's suddenly stunned expression. "As far as Mizukage sama knows, he's dead. That's why I have to keep him hidden."
Her gaze turned downwards, and she studied the floorboards intently. " I... I had no idea." She muttered. "There must have been some reason? He wouldn't... I know the villagers attack them because they're frightened, but it's been years since ninja have hunted them..." Zabuza shook his head. "Why didn't you?" She finally dared to meet his eye, and he shrugged.
"Killing him would have been a waste."
Kotone accepted the answer, and started for her room, pushing the door open a crack. "Can I come in?" The little creature huddled miserably by her bed nodded.
"Are you alright?" Another nod as she shut the door behind herself, and sat on her bed, patting the space beside her. "Here, sit." He did as she asked, and she reached for a hairbrush. "Turn around." He winced when she first tried to pull it through his hair, but it soon became easier as she worked the tangles away. They sat in silence for a while before she asked what the outburst had been for. He seemed to shrink.
"It was nothing... Just..." He shook his head, and she pulled the brush away to keep it from getting caught. "I heard my parents shouting at each other like that once." He confided, dejectedly. "Only once. Right before...well..." She paused, as he took a breath to calm himself. "My father found out... about Mama and I. He killed her, and tried to kill me. I panicked, and I...I..."
"Like today?" He nodded. She sighed, and tried another smile. "Hey, everything's alright now, Ok? You're safe with us. I don't know what Zabuza's told you, but I'm really not that scary. I'd never do anything to hurt you."
"Promise?" His voice cracked a little, and she nodded.
"I swear."
vvvvvvvvvvv
Kotone pushed the door open with her foot, carrying the little boy; who's ebony hair was now neat, and straight. She set him down on the couch, with a simple "He fell asleep." To his sensei.
"He hasn't been sleeping much at night." Zabuza admitted, with what might have been a badly concealed worry.
"Apparently, it's because his parents fought like that just before..." Zabuza nodded, and grunted a reply. He'd heard the story already. "The correlation there...It was quite telling. It means he sees you as a sort of father figure," She said, frowning at him slightly. "I hope you know how important that is."
Zabuza smirked, the cloth wrappings that obscured his face stretching slightly to accommodate the expression. "If I'm a father to him, what are you, then?"
She hesitated, before shrugging, and grabbing her mask of the back of the sofa. "I've got to go. I've still got work to do."
vvvvvvvvvvv
The Mizukage and herself made gloomy company given the matter at hand. Two chunin from Konohagakure no sato had been captured not long before; spying apparently their intent. Since Kisame's defection, She'd been told, the other villages have started to doubt our power. One of our strongest has left us, and we were unable to stop him.
"Mizukage Sama..." She started, biting her lip. "I know it's not much, but... Let me give them something else to be afraid of. Zabuza san is renown in other countries...as are many of the other Shichinin. No one knows me this way, and I can use this to my advantage. I know I'm not as intimidating as the others, but..." She drew her mask from her yukata. "This can be. The name I've been given could be of use to you."
The kage quirked an eyebrow. "What do you propose?"
"Hikyuu can be more terrifying than Ume Kotone ever could be; Ume Kotone is only human. With this mask and name, it could be more than that. If I die, Aoyama Naoko can assume it, and someone after her. A mask and name don't die." Her eyes were ardent, her tone fierce in it's loyalty. "Let Hikyuu show the world what we do to those who cross Kirigakure no sato. I'll do everything in my power to reduce their lives to a living hell; then we'll return them, as some sort of..."
"Truce agreement." The kage nodded. "A gesture of," He laughed. "goodwill. Alright," The kage grinned. "They're all yours. Don't fail me."
"I won't."
Kotone shows her true colours, here. The question is when.
...Yes I realize she sounds like batman XDD that was unintentional, I swear.
I apologize if I totally murdered awesome little Haku's character. I luff him so. ;-;
XDD I guess the 'living here' thing only makes sense to people who've read "Sutego" this little fic-ey thing I have posted in "odds and ends".
So yeah! um, thank you all sooo much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it n.n Please review, and have an awesome, awesome day