Yay! Haku and Sakura finally come face to face in this chapter! In case you haven't noticed already, this story is not canon, so be ready for changes lol.

Note: Sakura switches from 'Haku-chan' to 'Haku-kun', signalling a change in the dynamic of their relationship to a more romantic turn.

I DON'T OWN NARUTO STOP ASKING

Chapter Four: Reunion (part 2)

No.

Please no.

No no no no no no dear God no.

Sakura's finger grasped the kunai in her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned stark white. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to stall her tears, her chest feeling as if it would explode form her emotions.

This was a bad day with a capital 'B'. Kakashi was once again fighting a losing battle with Zabuza, Sasuke was killed by the masked boy, and then Naruto showed up and –

Cracked. His. Mask.

Sakura wanted to scream. She wanted to laugh and throw herself at him. She wanted to yell at him for killing Sasuke. She wanted to hold him and never let go. She wanted to shut down her emotions completely why did it hurt so much!

Love.

Betrayal.

Both were right and both were wrong. And the worse part was that Haku did not even seem to care that Naruto had shattered his mask. No, those depthless eyes of his were focused on her. Solely one her. Waiting for her reaction.

You knew.

The first day that they had fought Zabuza, Sakura knew that the 'hunter-nin' had been looking at her. And what Naruto was saying to him… Haku had also been there that night that Naruto had slept in the forest. He had been there as well, watching them. Watching her.

She wasn't sure if she should be happy or not. He remembered her! He still watched her and had recognized her bracelet and…

He was her enemy.

Her heart broke.

And then Haku was turning away from her and engaging Naruto and battle, and Sakura felt her heart shattering further, smaller and smaller pieces. The people she cared about were trying to kill each other and she couldn't stop it! And not just because Kakashi had once again bound her to guarding Tazuna but because she was helpless in the face of their power.

Haku was amazing. When she had first met him, she had not known that he was a ninja. But just looking at him now made Sakura fear for her teammates and ashamed at her own weakness. What would someone like Haku see in weak little Sakura? She would never measure up…

Enemy.

Right, enemy. Sakura shook her stupid, romantic thoughts from her head. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She could not afford to think like that! They were in the middle of a battle, dammit!

But then the world seemed to explode. Sakura gasped as red, red! chakra burst forth from an enraged Naruto, whipping around like savage winds and heating the air around him. Sakura could only gap as fangs protruded from his mouth, his eyes turning feral and suddenly Naruto of all people was kicking the shit out of someone like Haku.

They are going to kill each other.

Sakura felt her heart stutter at the very thought, and suddenly everything was slow motion.

Kakashi's hand was glowing bright with lightning, the chirping of birds screeching through the air as he aimed for the immobilized Zabuza. Her eyes followed as Haku darted towards them, towards Zabuza, and she knew what he was going to do, and she was not going to let him.

Without even thinking she let loose a volley of kunai towards Haku, knowing that he would dodge them. Haku avoided them subconsciously, only belatedly realizing what she had done, his eyes briefly flashing towards her.

And then Haku was slamming into Kakashi's side, Sakura's kunai having changed his trajectory so that he could not intercept the chidori. The lightning faded from Kakashi's hand as he lost control of his chakra in surprise, though the jounin still back flipped and landed on his feet. Without waiting Haku spun around and sent senbon towards Kakashi's ninken, and the dogs were forced to let go of Zabuza or be injured.

Zabuza began falling forward, but Haku caught him and supported the injured man, backing away from Kakashi, who was getting ready to attack again.

Their battle was interrupted by a slow, arrogant clapping.

Gato.

The slimy, back-stabbing bastard had sent Zabuza and Haku to the slaughter. Too bad that they managed to live. And they were not happy.

Despite Zabuza's injuries, which he probably should have died from by now, he was a monster on the battlefield against Gato's hired men. Haku stuck to his side, covering for Zabuza's obvious handicap since the man's arms were no longer functioning. A hundred men, and Zabuza and Haku sliced through them like a knife through butter.

Sakura couldn't take her eyes off Haku. The way he fought was so graceful and fluid, yet so deadly. She ached for him, to hold his hand, to heal his wounds and know that he was alive. Every time a thug got close to cutting him, Haku would effortlessly dodge, and yet Sakura could not help but catch her breath.

And then it was over.

The villagers had arrived with their torches and pitchforks and were finally ready to stand up for themselves. Kakashi turned to gather the wounded Sasuke in his arms while Tazuna ran to greet his family among the villagers. Even Naruto was grinning at the people, a ray of sunshine on such a gloomy day.

Only Sakura kept her eyes on the pair of missing-nin. Only Sakura saw Zabuza collapse and the silent panic which flashed across Haku's features.

She went to him.

"Haku-chan…" She whispered as she walked up behind him, the boy knelt down next to Zabuza, who's ragged breathing was becoming slower an heavier.

Haku turned to glance up at her, his eyes watery. Her chest tightened and she knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.

"I'm sorry." She murmured into his ears.

"Haku…" Zabuza croaked, his eyes squinting at Sakura, blood dribbling from his lips as he spoke. "Who is this?"

Haku smiled sadly. "This is my forest sprite, Sakura."

Zabuza's eyes widened in recognition, while Sakura became confused.

"Forest sprite?" She asked.

Haku blushed.

At their interaction Zabuza chuckled. "So this is the girl…" He let out an ironic laugh. "And she just happens to show up here… of all places…"

Zabuza studied Sakura with narrowed eyes, causing her to feel uncomfortable. "Take care of the kid for me, would ya?"

Sakura nodded, her eyes sad. Sure, Zabuza was mean and rude, but he was dying… and Sakura knew that it would break Haku's heart. She empathized for the boy.

Zabuza's eyes went back to his charge and he locked gazes with Haku. In a softer voice, sounding so far away and in so much pain, Zabuza struggled to force out his last words. Haku leaned down to catch his rasping words.

"You only get one life…" Zabuza coughed up blood before continuing. "Take what you want… and never… let… go…"

Zabuza's last words grew softer until at last they trailed off into silence. The light faded from his eyes and his mouth went slack. Haku gripped his hands in the bandages on Zabuza's chest, clenching his teeth. But he did not cry.

Still, Sakura could feel his body trembling under her hand, and she saw the tears that he kept at bay. His right hand sought hers out, and their bracelets clinked against each other as he intertwined his fingers in hers.

Footsteps approached them, and Sakura looked up to see Kakashi and Naruto approaching them. Naruto's eyes held sympathy, and he nodded sadly at Haku in acknowledgment. Kakashi looked exhausted but otherwise unbothered at Zabuza's death, though her sensei raised an eyebrow when he saw Sakura holding hands with the boy who had been their enemy up until ten minutes ago.

Haku's eyes were still glued to Zabuza's body. "I want to bury him." He whispered.

Sakura and Naruto nodded in agreement, making Kakashi sigh, knowing that he would be dragged into helping them dig as well.

"Where is Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked as she helped Haku to his feet, the boy leaning against her due to his injuries.

"With the villagers." Kakashi grunted as he heaved up the dead weight of Zabuza onto his shoulders. "They are going to heal him while we clean up."

Sakura nodded, she, Haku, and Naruto following Kakashi as they left the bridge. Haku directed them to a small outcrop overlooking the bay where he wanted to put Zabuza to rest. Sakura did not let him help them with the shoveling, chiding Haku about aggravating his wounds even further.

"So now what?" Naruto asked ever-so-eloquently after they had finished patting the dirt across the grave, Kubikiribōchō sunk halfway into the dirt before it like a headstone. The blonde turned to Haku with a hopeful smile. "You wanna come back home with us?"

"Naruto."

Kakashi's unamused voice made the boy's smile fall. The children turned to look at the jounin, whose dark gaze was leveled on Haku without any warmth. Defensively, Sakura tightened her hold around Haku's waist, who had his arm slung over her shoulders to stand.

"B-But sensei!" Naruto protested. "He's all alone now!"

"It doesn't matter." Kakashi replied with a cold voice. "If we were to take him back to the village they would arrest him and most likely execute him. Haku is no child, he is a dangerous rogue ninja associated with one of Konoha's most feared enemies. The village would never trust him."

Naruto looked offended, but both Haku and Sakura had resigned expressions. Both of them knew it was true, even if Naruto did not want to believe it.

"It's fine, Naruto-kun." Haku told him softly. "Zabuza has taught me enough that I can survive on my own."

Naruto looked about to protest, but he was surprised when Sakura silenced him with a look.

"Kakashi-sensei, perhaps you should take Naruto to check up on Sasuke." Sakura suggested with a no-nonsense tone.

Her sensei raised his eyebrows at his sweet little student taking charge, and giving him orders of all things! He could see that there was something going on between her and the Haku boy, but Kakashi decided that Sakura had proven herself to be level-headed. With a warning look at her, Kakashi took a hold of Naruto and teleported away.

When the smoke cleared, Haku gingerly stepped away from Sakura's support, immediately missing her warmth.

"Haku!" Sakura scolded, moving to grab him again in case he fell. But he held up his hand, forestalling her approach, and Sakura paused with a hurt look upon her face.

"I must leave now, Sakura-chan." Haku said gently.

"Why now?" She whispered. "You haven't even treated your injuries..."

"I shouldn't stay here." Haku sighed. "Those villagers know that I worked for Gato. I won't find any help here –"

"Then let me help!" Sakura muttered in frustration.

Haku gazed longingly at her, and Sakura felt her stomach clench. "It would only put off the inevitable. Being a rogue ninja is my life, Sakura. You know this."

Sakura nodded with a scoff. "Yes, yes I am well aware. No ninja village would accept a foreign missing-nin into their ranks. But that doesn't mean that you don't have time to at least get those treated."

Pointing at the numerous cuts and bruises that marred his body, Sakura dismissed Haku's wishes and grabbed his hand.

"What are you doing?" Haku asked with an amused voice.

"I'm taking you to the healer. Just put a henge on and they will never know who you are. I'm not letting you run off until you do this, Haku-chan." Sakura ordered.

Haku chuckled and wrapped his arm around Sakura once more, teleporting them to the village outskirts where he donned a henge and proceeded to receive treatment from the local healer.

As night fell, Sakura insisted on accompanying Haku to the end of the bridge, where he would begin his next journey. They fell into companionable silence, Haku taking any and every opportunity to touch Sakura, to hold her hand, her waist, to run his fingers through her hair and trace her jawbone with his fingers. She enjoyed every second of it.

They slowed to a stop at the edge of the river, facing the road which led away from Wave Country.

"You have everything? Supplies? Medicine?" Sakura could not help but pester in worry.

Haku chuckled and nodded. "I assure you, Sakura-chan, I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

Sakura nodded, knowing this, but still bit her lip in worry. Would they see each other again? It was enough of a miracle that they had run into each other here after all these years. Would Fate be so kind once more?

Haku's fingers threaded into her soft pink tresses, wondering at their silken touch. Sakura's hands lingered on his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her palms. Slowly Haku drew her in for an embrace, burying his nose into the crook of her neck and inhaling her scent. Sakura did the same, pressing her face into his chest and listening to his heart speed up. He smelled crisp like winter, yet his warmth was far from it. They held onto each other in longing, desperation, words left unsaid hanging like the clouds above their heads.

Haku drew back but kept his body pressed to hers, leaning his forehead onto her own. "I'll find you." He breathed.

Sakura felt her toes curl at his words, her face lighting up in happiness. Haku memorized that expression, the sheer love and joy she found in him, her viridian eyes sparking with life, her smile making his heart flutter.

Sakura felt his hands move to cup her face, and then his lips were on hers.

Her first kiss was everything she could have dreamed, with the one person she had ever loved. Haku did not push, and neither did she, but their lips stayed firmly pressed together and their heartbeats echoed against one another through their chests. Sakura wrapped her arms around his middle, and Haku pulled away to briefly kiss her forehead and each cheek before once again planting his lips upon her own.

With final caresses, Haku reluctantly pulled away. Sakura allowed her arms to drop to her sides as Haku stroked her cheek one last time. Then he turned and leapt into the trees, the night swallowing him in its fold.

Sakura closed her eyes and smiled softly, her fingers lightly tracing her lips in his memory.

"I'll find you."

"We'll meet again, Haku-kun."

*dreamy sigh*

I'm falling in love with my own character. Darn you, Haku, and your grasp on my feels BE STILL MY BEATING HEART -

I mean, um, I'm not crazy. I swear.

Review my lovelies!

~Lilithia