For those of you who are disappointed that the climax on the bridge didn't take place... Don't be. Also, have you guys read the latest chapters? Sad and yet still good!

Last time: Snape told the ninjas of Haku's unknown birth and they were not pleased. On finding out his occupation: A spy, Snape was incarcerated for a month instead of immediately being placed to death.

Harry went to his hearing and was cleared of all charges however, the day after coming back from shopping for school; Dumbledore appeared with some news and a Crack – indicating that a new comer has arrived. With Snape revealing the truth, and forming with the Hokage, what will happen now?

As for becoming shinobi of Konoha they are not just the helping hand; allies to be exact. Oh and feel free. You can protest to your heart's content! So, thank you guys... You all totally ROCK!

Now on to chapter …8!

In a forest- No precisely at training ground seven a teenage girl by the name of, Haku sat underneath a tree.

Her clothing was muffled and a little dirty and she sported small bruises here and there. Nothing, that couldn't be healed within the hour, however; trivial they were Haku, refuse to acknowledge them. The reason: Her conflicted mind was replaying the spar with Sasuke Uchiha.

Punch aimed followed by a roundhouse kick.

Do you understand?

Sasuke twists aiming more fierce assaults. Haku barely dodges.

He never came. Never was in your life. A brother.

Haku dodged again, but she was hit with an upper cut.

We're doing everything for you….I'm doing everything for you.

The teenage girl stumbled back, but Sasuke was not done. He kicks her in the air and vanishes only to appear behind gripping; they became airborne as he spun them.

Is everything for waste, huh?! Are our efforts not enough?

They were falling drastically and Sasuke took advantage attacking nonstop.

Then, why believe him? Why when you clearly denied it all?!

Finally throwing – sending Haku towards the ground at a rapid pace, Sasuke controlled is momentum kicking her in the stomach.

Understanding? Don't make me laugh. We're the only ones who will understand. After all; we know your pain.

A bed of water was the only thing that stopped her from crashing. Sasuke wasn't done though and Haku rolled over from his assault before flipping and landing on her feet somewhat clumsily.

However, she lost her balance and slipped. "Pull yourself together," he was gone just as quickly as he came.

Haku leaned her head over her knees as she wrapped her arms around them. How could she be so uncertain when she had precious people here?

There was Naruto-kun, Kakashi-san, Sakura-Chan, and Sasuke-kun and…..Zabuza –Sama. She squeezed herself tighter as she bit her lip subconsciously. She was letting them down. They only knew her for a month, but … That month was happy. Even, Zabuza –Sama she was worrying him; he may be a demon in public, but. She has seen his kindness.

Haku picked up her head and looked up at the knighting sky. It was starless out but still the moon shined beautifully. The trees swayed as the slight wind blew with a cool breeze.

Haku welcomed it. She smiled; it was as if she received her answer. Her mind was no longer conflicted and she stood on her two feet.

Unaware that a crow loomed in the distance watching, seeing everything before it vanished.

Xx-xxx

"Well… that's," Dumbledore said looking grim. "Is..."

However, just before he could finish a crack was heard.

There standing in the kitchen was Severus Snape. "Ay, Severus, my boy."

Don't boy me," Snape replied snidely.

"Where is Haliene? I was sure you…" Dumbledore said speaking up for all, ignoring Snape's snide remark.

Harry's stomach churned even more. Feeling as though the reason, Snape was back was just to give them bad news.

Snape didn't answer instead he dug in his robes and held a parchment in hand. He unrolled it and walked over towards Dumbledore. "The girl wishes not to come. Now sign this contract and …"

"Contract..?" Dumbledore said frowning.

What? Harry froze and felt sick. The only family he had didn't want to meet him. What if she didn't want to embrace her magic? What….made- made her a witch and had chosen to live the life of a normal civilian. You think he would be happy that his sister wasn't going to be involved.

"What do you mean?" Sirius growled. "What do mean she wishes not come? Does she not believe..." he stopped. That notion was ridiculous. She was James's and Lily's daughter; sister to Harry.

Snape didn't answer in fact he was just waiting for Dumbledore to sign the contract that couldn't be translated.

Moody's eye rotated solely on Snape, but he made no move.

Severus Snape was awaiting his death when he was locked up, but it didn't come. He assumed they were toying with him and waited until he would rot, but that too didn't come. He was grateful to the third and his quick thinking. He respected that man and with that he agreed to the SS class mission.

Yes, he agreed to help them. The contract was not get them involved, but the third was a remarkable man and he seen that it was unavoidable.

"Don't bother," Snape drawled as he watched Dumbledore closely. "There's no translation spell that will translate this contract."

Everyone was speechless. Why was the... "Why?" Tonks asked suspiciously. "Why a contract so suddenly? Is it from V- Voldemort?"

Many cringed at the name. Harry, Sirius and Lupin however, didn't.

"No," Snape answered smoothly, reassuring that it wasn't. However, they were not fully convinced.

Dumbledore frowned. "I cannot sign this, Severus my boy. I do not understand its terms."

"And you won't," Snape said glaring. "It's not important to you just for me."

The others were still confused as they watched the exchange.

"What do mean by, 'it's only important for me'?" Lupin calmly asked.

Snape didn't answer.

Dumbledore put his wand away and turn to address the others when …

Gasped were heard.

Someone shouted. "What's the meaning of this?! Why would…

Yes, indeed. Why? Moody and the other guards that accompanied Harry all held their wands out ready; but Mrs. Weasley looked torn remembering the Boggart incident.

Harry and his friends were shocked.

Snape put away his wand and let the blood drip on the contract and said, "I never really needed just a signature. This will do perfectly." The blood formed in itself and Dumbledore's name appeared.

Dumbledore frown deepened. This wasn't the Snape he knew. Of course he remembered the time when he was acting strange, but this was beyond reason! The punch a month ago didn't compare to this.

"Why did you attack me?"

Snape rolled up the scroll carefully. He snorted then scoffed rather disgustingly. "I did no such thing and that isn't even a wound to cry over. Use some healing spell it's just a cut nothing more," then turned around as he was leaving.

"Severus!"

The man turned over his shoulder to face the headmaster impassively.

What did he expect from him? He wanted to do more damage than a small cut. Like punch him again for not even sending someone to find him, but that was no longer important. He had orders from the third and the seal that was hidden on his tongue would keep their world hidden, but with the contract…

"All will be revealed in due time." He glanced towards the boy. "Potter don't worry she's fine and happier where she is now. "

He then vanished with a crack.

The churn vanished and Harry was relieved to know that, but he was still disappointed.

"What just happened?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"Albus," Moody started his eye rotating as he putted away his wand. "Are you sure Snape's working for us?" His eye was rotating furiously.

Dumbledore just frowned and vanished not giving an answer to anyone.

Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands together. "Alright children back to your rooms. Everyone else let's-

"Molly, we might as well wait." Lupin reasoned.

Molly nodded and sent a glare to Harry and the children. With a sigh they headed to their respective rooms, but the tension was there.

"Git," Ron sneered once in the room. "Bet he's going to betray us."

The door opened and in walked Hermione and Ginny.

"I don't know, "Hermione said with a frown. "That contract is more important. It couldn't be translated and the contents must be-

"Valuable enough for Snape to draw blood," Harry supplied sarcastically. Honestly the way he felt, Dumbledore deserved that in a way. He was mad at the man for keeping him in the dark and more, so he was somewhat pleased when Snape did that.

"Harry," Ginny whispered.

"Sorry," Harry apologized, running a hand through his hair. Who was he kidding he wasn't fooling anyone he wasn't sorry, but for his friend's sakes…

"No, but …" Hermione stated as if she wasn't interrupted, "What if it was a contract to keep your sister from getting involved?"

Harry gave her a look. "What? Hermione you know that she's the only family I have! The only one who might…?

Hermione shook her head. "I know that! But, I'm just saying! She's in Japan. An isolated country that has its own wars that we …We don't know about. And, Snape did say she was happy there and not to worry." Hermione finished trying to reason with her friend.

At that Harry sighed in frustration.

"Look," Ron spoke running his own hand through his hair. "Let's just wait on it, ok? I mean when, Snape comes back…. you know." He finished lamely.

He looked sheepish, but a crack and he was sprawled out on the floor with his two older brothers on top of him.

"Get…up," Ron muffled, strangely enough he sounded like Zazu from the muggle movie The Lion King.

Fred and George grinned, but got of their little brother "Sorry, Ron."

Ron got up dusting dust off him and grumbled.

Fred and George took out their expandable ears. Harry and the others gathered behind. "It was quite suspicious you know?"

"Yeah, mate…." Fred said. "Reckon they think Snape's conspiring."

"But," Hermione said. "That's not all true, but that contract…" she trailed off.

Fred removed his ear from the wall and George followed. "What's the matter guy's?" Ginny asked her brothers.

They shrugged and vanished just like they came.

It was a good thing they left too because Mrs. Weasley was standing there by the opened door.

"I said all of you get to bed," she looked at each of them equally waiting for the girls to get up. With reluctant Ginny grumbled and a complaint before saying goodnight. Hermione wasn't as hostile as she got up and followed the angered girl.

Once the girls were out the room Mrs. Weasley said good night and slammed the door. The result was the hinges resounding against the walls.

"Night, mate," Ron said crawling in his own bed. To him when his mother was angry there was no use in arguing. Mothers were scary like that.

"Yeah," Harry replied, but sleep didn't come and his mind was an endless void were his thoughts swirled violently.

One thing was certain though he would corner Snape for answers when he managed to see him.

End…

Haku was walking out the forest clearing as she was nearing the small road that led to the village center. She smiled as the moon shined from up above. Nothing could deter her mood, she was happy yet anxious. Anxious? Why, she didn't know. Maybe it was because somewhere deep down she felt as though she was going to confess rather than give an answer concerning her behavior.

Finally reaching the empty streets that were lit with torches here and there it was no surprise to her, but none the less she still thought they were beautiful, but a frown marred her features. How long would they be living in such a peaceful village?

She reached their apartment and walked inside. It was nearly empty saved for the little furniture that was there. Even without the lights she maneuvered expertly though the apartment heading towards the bathroom. Perhaps in the morning when he's done training or when he finds her presence needed she would give her answer.

"You know," Kakashi's voice ranged from behind as he sat crouch on a rock. "Worrying so much isn't good for the health."

Zabuza grunted in response. Didn't the scarecrow have two brats to go meddle with? His social life or whatever wasn't important – well for others it wasn't.

"Don't you have someone else to annoy?"

"Hmm….." Kakashi said as if he was thinking hard. "No, not really."

Zabuza twitched. So, he was the copy ninja's poor victim. At that he just twitched again. He was Zabuza, Demon of the Bloody Mist! He was the predator not the other way around!

"Surely," Kakashi said slowly. "You're not going to let Haku-Chan suffer for a week? Won't that be a little too cruel even for a demon such as your-self?"

Kakashi's one eye closed as he smiled. Inwardly he was having a blast. Provoking the man's pride was fun.

"Haku will figure it out," Zabuza said irritated.

"Maybe," Kakashi remarked waving Zabuza's irritation off. "But, she's a conflicted girl who deeply cares for a demon." A pause, "Maa, if I had a girl like her…" Kakashi trailed off.

Zabuza twitched violently itching to grab his sword that lay within the sandy ground beside him. Would he just shut the hell up?

"Shut up," Zabuza growled lowly trying, but failing to keep meditating. However, Kakashi wasn't done and Zabuza grabbed his sword with a brutal grip and swung.

Kakashi dodged, "Still though," he continued as he evaded each attack. "I have a way to making you see. You're clearly blinded and won't drop the mask. Is it so hard, Zabuza?" Kakashi taunted. "Is it so hard just to be human in front of, Haku-Chan? Maybe, Sasuke's interest is more than what it seems. I mean he too doesn't have a clan and, Haku-Chan is strong..." He dodged the water vortex.

Mist surrounded the sandy clearing.

Kakashi uncovered his left eye revealing his Sharingan. From what he heard from Snape's conversation to the third- on orders he was the only one present in the shadows while the silencing seal was intact.

"Now, then I think it's time I show you just what you need to see," with that he took out a long scroll.

Zabuza skidded back. Damn it what was the copy ninja getting at?

Kakashi moved.

Snape was greeted by two guards and chained with shackles. They disappeared and reappeared at their destination. "I sure hope you are right," the third's voice ranged from the side as he slipped his pipe back in his mouth; "Because death will be your punishment and the deal will be severed."

Snape inwardly flinched. He was hoping that the method the third came up with worked and that his assumption was valid because … because he felt that he still had something to accomplish. Atone for.

Snape remained impassive though and took out the scroll from his robes and walked over towards the leader of Konoha, and handed him the parchment.

"I assume you did it without him knowing of the terms?"

Snape nodded," Yes, sir, I did as you requested."

Hiruzen unrolled the parchment slightly and nodded in approval placing the scroll somewhere on his person. He would need it later after the fiasco that's transpiring.

Haku stood up rather abruptly from the chair and disappeared; the tea cup that was on the table's edge fell with an audible bang. Tea flooded the small area of space like a puddle. The tea cup rolled slightly revealing a crack.

That was the sign of an omen.

"Guards come with us," was all the third said before he disappeared in a swirl of leaves. The guards retraining Snape followed.

Zabuza's sword was far from his reach courtesy of Kakashi's swift assault. He cursed colorfully; his arms ached form those stupid hounds that ripped his flesh. Hell that wasn't what he was worried about in the slightest.

For his eyes widen at what Kakashi was doing. Where they being betrayed? The idea didn't seem odd in fact it was something he expected, but so soon?

What sounded like a thousand birds filled the air and Kakashi charged. Time seemed to move slowly. If this is what the copy ninja wanted him to see than he... No, his mind urged. This wasn't it, nor was this just a rematch of the bridge.

'Haku…'

They say when someone's on the brink of death their life passes rapidly before their very eyes. For, Zabuza it was vaguely the same. The time that he met Haku for the first time, how for twelve years he always thought the kid to be a boy. Heh, that was a long time right? And, the last couple of years.

Well, what did it matter? When …

All sound stopped and movements seized to a halt.

The third and Snape who was responsible for all of this accompanied by two guards appeared on the scene.

Haku stood within Kakashi's hold; her eyes losing their gleaming emerald shine. A sad smile played on her once pink rosy lips and all color drained from her body.

'I … I never gave my answer, Za….Bu...Za...'

Hiruzen sighed sadly and the guards moved in on Snape. "Don't kill him send him to the torture room." He looked in their direction as Snape was looking at him with barely conscious eyes. "You better pray," the third said coldly.

That's all Snape heard as he lost conscious, but he was rudely awakened by one of the guards, looks like he wasn't going to visit the darkness any time soon.

"Kakashi bring her to the medics immediately. Zabuza your welcome to follow," he received no response.

Kakashi glanced at the teenage girl mournfully and regretedly. That man's words better be true because if she's dead than he would be sending a chidori straight to the center. Kakashi then turned towards Zabuza who was in shock. The only thing that all were grateful for was that the finals wouldn't start until next week and hopefully the girl won't be…

"Zabuza," Hiruzen called just as Kakashi shushin away. Seeing that the man wouldn't move the third did what any comrade would do… help his fellow man.

Xxxx...

While in England it was morning time and people were just starting to wake, a certain boy however, was …

"Harry, Harry… HARRY!" Ron hollered.

At Ron's shout the door swung open with a bang and Sirius and a few others could be seen standing there. Ron blink it was his family behind his best friend's godfather.

"What's the matter? No, in fact what happened? What's going on?" Sirius said with panic as he dashed over towards his godson's bed.

He shouted and shook the boy, but no response.

Hermione looked on horrified. "This is just like…"

"Like what?!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked.

"Like when Harry …" she swallowed. "Last year," was all she could say, before looking away.

Realization hit like a tidal wave; The Tri-Wizard Tournament.

End..

It's been hours since Haku has been brought to the hospital and the ones that knew of what happened stayed in the halls. Zabuza to, Kakashi and the third who ordered that no one come visit this section looked at the man sadly. Some would reckon it was pity, but it was not.

Kakashi didn't know how he was going to lie to his students on this one. Hiruzen allowed them to stay for a full month in Konoha, but after this he wouldn't be surprise if Zabuza Momoichi severed their alliance.

The double doors opened.

"Sir, she's stable, but..." the med started.

Kakashi nodded then looked towards Zabuza only to see little color return.

"But..?" Hiruzen prodded.

The med restrain from gulping and fidgeting. "Someone like the legendary Sennin, Tsunade –Sama needs to work on her, before the week ends."

N' Cut! Dodges various types of assaults... Wait guys! Ok, thanks for giving me a chance. Well, hm… working on next chapter hopefully will be here before the weekends over! What will happen next? Oh, and just to explain – Snape on witnessing Harry's deaf revivals wondered HOWEVER, that was a huge gamble on his part, but Luckily it's ok. So, again what will happen next?

Happy Be-lated NEW YEAR!

JA!