Must I say it? Okay, okay. Fine. Naruto's not mine. Nor, really, is Haku. T-T A girl can dream, can't she?!
Mizu sighed, pulling away. She wiped away her tears. "Sorry," she said, grimacing apologetically.
Haku shook his head. He was at a loss for words, not knowing how to comfort her.
She stood and went to the window. "See you around, Haku." She started to slip out.
"Wait."
Mizu paused. The trails of dried tears on her cheeks shimmered in the moonlight.
Haku crossed the room in a few long strides and caught her about the waist. He pulled her close and kissed her, longer and deeper and far more infuriating than before. He knew why Mizu's rant struck a cord; he was nothing more than a tool. But he wanted to be so much more. He wanted to mean something to someone. He wanted all of those things, too.
Mizu pulled away, her eyes wide. She gasped for breath, unable to form a coherent sentence. "I… I… uh… Be back." she disappeared.
Haku sank to the floor below the window. One hand unconsciously went to his lips, remembering the tangled emotions of the kiss. He remembered the desperation of Mizu's kiss, melting into something… different. Something more.
He was startled out of his reverie by a knock at the door. He stopped breathing.
He listened as Zabuza answered. "What?"
"Do you have an extra room? Or just somewhere I can sleep. Please."
Haku's heart stopped.
"No."
"Please, sir. Even on the floor. I promise I won't be a bother."
Zabuza sighed. "Follow me."
"Thank you, sir."
Zabuza went up to Haku's door. "Are you still awake?"
"Yes, Zabuza-san."
"Good. We have a guest. She'll need to sleep in your room."
"Yes, Zabuza-san."
Haku opened his door. Mizu stood behind Zabuza in yet another outfit. This time, she was in a long black dress, her hair in bao-baos. She was gazing at the palm of her hand, her eyes wide, face white, breathing shallow.
Zabuza turned. "What-?"
Mizu dropped to her knees. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Teas mingled with the blood coming from the gash across her palm. "Ren, Ukari. I was weak. I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry." She cradled her hand to her chest, tears streaming down her face for the second time that night.
Haku noted the blood on the table. So it was an accident, not a well-planned scene like he thought.
He knelt in front of her, pulling her hand away from her chest. He examined the wound as best he could with the blood. It was a long gash, all the way across her palm, but it was shallow. He cleaned and bandaged her hand.
Mizu's eyes were glazed over and she was trembling, but she was no longer crying. Haku took that as a good sign.
"Ren. Ukari. Ren… Ukari… where have I heard-" Zabuza cut off, spinning to face Mizu ad Haku. "You!" he spat.
Tears were still running down her face, but Mizu focused on Zabuza. "Yes I am. Be kind, Momochi. Kill me quickly. You will be famous, known forever as the nin who defeated The Angel. You will have immortality among shinobi."
Zabuza pulled out a kunai. "With pleasure," he said.
Mizu stood shakily, bracing herself against the wall, eyes closed. "I don't want this anymore."
"No!" Haku cried, bracing himself in front of Mizu.
Zabuza stopped, inches from them both. "What?"
"Haku… don't…" Mizu pleaded.
"I can't let you. You have so much to live for," Haku begged.
"I have nothing," Mizu spat.
"What about your dreams?" Haku pleaded.
"Dreams?" Mizu scoffed. Her face hardened into a cynical expression. "You mean the half-formed thoughts of a girl who can have no worldly possessions? You mean the silly ideas of a tool, of someone who can keep nothing for herself, not even her own emotions? Whose will has been twisted this way and that until she is just a doll, handed off to the highest bidder?" Mizu's eyes narrowed. "Never take for granted what you have with Momochi. At least he would never give you away to someone who might break you."
Mizu turned away sharply. Her hands were balled into fists; her long nails cutting half-moon incisions into her palm.
"Mizu…" Haku breathed, reaching out for her hand.
She pulled away.
"We have to go now, Haku," Zabuza said.
"Yes, Zabuza-san," Haku responded reluctantly. He turned away from Mizu, seeing her frame shudder again from the corner of his eye.
Again, up so fast! Aren't you proud? Slacking in school, not doing homework, to bring you this! Okay, that's a lie. I'm not slacking in school or not doing my homework. I am, however, staying up ntil eleven typing and getting up at five to finish my homework. Don't worry – I have all A's and B's. Course, I've only been in school a month… eh. Reviews, s'il vous plait. Je vous adore.