Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Correlation Coefficient

A correlation coefficient is a way to measure the strength of a relationship between two variables. For example, going to the beach can be correlated with sunburn. Using a correlation coefficient, it can be calculated how likely one is to encounter a sunburn once at the beach. However, correlation does not equal causation. Going to the beach does not cause sunburn. Exposure to the sun causes sunburn.

Some things are connected. Some things are related. But they are not the same.


It was quiet. There was a light sea breeze coming in through the open window. Sea birds could be heard as they flew by. Sasuke was off in the forest for training. Sakura and Naruto were at the bridge to watch out for Tazuna. I don't know where Kakashi is, but who cares? Thanks to; a stab wound, cracked ribs, a swollen but recently set nose, and heavy bruising, I was given a reprieve. No work for me. Today, my only jobs were to rest and heal (Tsunami's input) and, as Kakashi phrased, 'try not to goad anyone into a fight'. For today, as long as my mouth was open, I could breathe easily.

Or I could have. If it wasn't for – "Ow" I complained as Haku rubbed and dabbed some sort of smelly paste into the stab wound. I tried to twist away from him, but he had a death grip on my arm that wasn't letting me get too far.

"Wounds like this really should be cleaned and treated twice a day", Haku spoke serenely. He wore a smile on his face that didn't match his grip. Nor did it indicate that he reveled in my pain. But I know better, Haku. There's no fooling me.

Narrowing my eyes, I tried to let my annoyance show. He didn't have to be here. There were a million different things he could be doing. Helpful things. Things he needed to learn and figure out before he became the Land of Waves' protector. And playing nurse to an injured Konoha shinobi wasn't one of them!

"What is this stuff anyway?" I asked as I tried not to wrinkle my nose at the stench. Why? Because that would hurt. The paste Haku used was a damp swampy green color and the texture reminded me of stewed spinach that had been so cooked a person wouldn't need teeth to eat it.

"It is a simple poultice", Haku said as he pressed a particularly large glop of it into the deepest part of the wound.

"That is made of…." I prompted; wincing.

Haku sighed as if I was the one being difficult. "Seaweed, fresh water, and some herbs to help ward off infection". Haku fell silent with a long face as I tried to figure out how to learn more. Poison wasn't an area I was well-versed in. Although, it probably should be given the bugs Shino and Shibi liked to cohabitate with. However; before I could ask another question, Haku shook his head as if freeing himself from his thoughts as he wiped his hands clean. "I used to make this for Zabuza all the time".

My next question died before it left my mouth. Haku's fingers were nimble as he wrapped my shoulder in a fresh bandage. Finally releasing my arm in the process. "He was a terrible patient. Just like you. Always complaining and refusing help".

"Oh, really?" I feigned interest. "Did you stab him t-" My question was cut off as I grimaced in pain due to Haku tying the bandage off quickly and extra tight. Grumbling insulting comments under my breath, I independently fixed my shirt once Haku's hands left my person.

The fake peaceful smile graced Haku's lips once more as he gently tilted his head to one side. "How is your nose feeling today?"

My hands flew up to cover my nose as I glared at the older boy. Mild killing intent sparked within me. It wasn't much to evoke a profound response. But enough to make Haku's perfect smile twitch with genuine enjoyment. "Touch my face and I'll cut off all your hair while you sleep". My words came out a bit muffled. Though Haku did not appear to have any difficulty understanding. If the snort of dry amusement he let out was anything to go by.

"Some ice might help the swelling go down", Haku commented; tapping his chin with one finger, as if thinking.

"Why are you here?" I asked; changing the topic. Because, seriously, candy striper Haku needed to retire. "Shouldn't you be protecting the bridge or learning about your new home?"

"Yes", Haku agreed. "There is a lot to do". Yet, still, he failed to leave his spot next to my bed roll.

An exasperatingly long moment followed where I stared at Haku and Haku stared back. I wasn't blinking and neither was he. It was my goal to make him break first and leave in defeat. But Haku was being a jerk and refused to fail. Maybe I should have let him wake Naruto during our morning in the forest. If Naruto were in my shoes, he'd probably have healed by now. And I'm sure he'd been able to make Haku switch paths too…. If I managed to plant a seed in Naruto's brain. And then Naruto would be the one stuck with this menace.

The door slammed open. But that wasn't enough for either of us to break. Damn you, Haku! Let me win at least once. "Aburame", a deeply unimpressed voice barked. "Why are you alone with him?"

Sighing in defeat, I lowered my hands from my nose and rolled my head on my neck until the doorframe was in my line of sight. Sasuke stood with his feet halfway in the room and half out; his arms folded across his chest and his face twisted into a scowl.

Since the start of his very short time with us, everyone liked… or at least tolerated Haku. He helped Tsunami with the dishes. He didn't seem to tire while listening to Tazuna talk about 'the good old days'. Haku knew how to get Sakura's hair to be tangle-free. It was only Sasuke… and maybe Inari, who thought he was bad news.

"Why are you here?" I asked instead of answering. Next to me, Haku shifted his position so he could see both of us at the same time. "Did you figure out tree walking?"

Scoffing, Sasuke turned his head and refused to answer. That's a no then. Though it does give me an idea.

"Do you want help?"

"No". Sasuke's response was immediate and sharp. He made it sound like I caused a great insult to his dignity.

Not that I cared in the slightest. "But do you need help?"

This time, Sasuke's head jerked in my direction. "No", he answered again; nostrils flared and eyebrows slanted.

The corner of my mouth twitched. Fun. I don't think I've ever managed to provoke such a response from the Uchiha before. Annoyance, definitely. Agitation, easily. Full out, vocal frustration; this needed to be recorded in my notebook. "You sure?" I asked; aware of the look Haku was sending me and choosing to ignore it. You don't know me, Haku. I owe you nothing. "You are aware that you're the only one who doesn't know how to tree walk, right?"

The vein above Sasuke's left eye began to pulse as he clenched his hands into punishing fists. "I don't need help", he forcibly stated.

"I can teach you", Haku offered just like I was hoping he would; with a kind smile sent Sasuke's way.

"Good idea", I commented before Sasuke could refuse. "And that way you'll finally catch up to Naruto". Sasuke looked like he wanted to kill me and I couldn't be prouder of myself. "And I'll no longer be alone with the enemy", I said the last word jokingly. Although neither of the two boys seemed to appreciate the jest.

"I don't need any help", Sasuke repeated, almost grinding his teeth together.

"Oh, I get it", I said. Even though there really wasn't anything to get. "You're worried about what will happen to you if you're alone with Haku. Don't think you're strong enough to fight him?"

If Sasuke had the power to smite me with one single glare, Haku would already be digging my grave. But murderous intention aside, I won. With a pained and irate, "Fine", Sasuke caved. He turned his back to us as he stalked out of the room. He didn't wait as his footfalls sounded extra loud as he stomped away.

Haku was much more poised as he rose to his feet to follow. "Remember", I called after him. "No more stabbing, Haku. Save it for Gato". And then, blessedly, I was alone. Exhaling through my mouth, I lay down and stared up at the ceiling. Silence. It was beautiful.


Although sore and still a bit tender, I was no longer bleeding and could now breathe through my nose. So, Kakashi cleared me to return to training/ bridge-protecting two days later. Even though I tried my hardest to convince him otherwise.

Dressed like a ninja this time, Haku conversed with Kakashi as Tazuna and his workers hammered away at their construction project. What parts of the bridge were the most defensible? Which parts were the most likely to be targeted? How many people did Gato have working for him? These were all things up for discussion.

Yawning, I turned away from where I watched a team of two move lumber from one side of the unfinished bridge to the other. "You know", I interrupted Kakashi and Haku. "We could lure all of Gato's people onto the bridge and blow it up".

Haku blinked at me as if appalled. While Kakashi didn't react. Too used to me at this point, I suspect. "No one is going to mess with my bridge!" Tazuna declared as he walked past us; having been just close enough to hear what I said. "That's not what I'm paying you for".

Though… to be fair, Tazuna also wasn't paying us for our current mission either. Having misrepresented himself and all that. Off in the distance, Naruto ran from one side of the bridge to the other. Whenever he reached the railing, he'd lean over and pear down at the construction still visible. "This is amazing! How do they build bridges with the water in the way?"

"Naruto", Sakura complained as she marched behind him; her hands on her hips. "Stop running around! You're going to get in someone's way".

"So…" I started slowly as both Haku and Kakashi failed to respond. "Is that a no to explosives?"

Kakashi turned his head back in Haku's direction. "Most of Gato's mean don't have shinobi backgrounds?" He sought to confirm. I'm going to take the lack of response as a maybe. Especially when explosives might be the quickest way to be able to go home

"Yes, that is correct", Haku answered with a bow of his head. "He hired a few rogues. Like the Demon Brothers you encountered and Zabuza himself". Behind Haku and sulking in the shadows cast by construction supplies was Sasuke. He stood alert and judging everything Haku said as he glared at Haku's back. You'd think after mastering tree walking under Haku's guidance, Sasuke would be more open to his presence. But I guess not. "But most in his employ have no formal training. Hired weapons, such as those, are… cheaper", Haku continued.

From the background, Sasuke snorted as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Doesn't sound difficult".

With a delicate frown, Haku glanced over his shoulder. "Have you experienced your first kill?" He asked softly. Sasuke's lack of response was the only answer Haku needed. "The first one is often full of mistakes; needless suffering". Haku's intonation fluxed at certain parts. There was enough emotion in his voice that Kakashi started to shift his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other. "And afterward, once you've realized what you've done, it can be hard to focus". Sasuke looked away as if he didn't agree. However, he said nothing to refute Haku. In turn, Haku turned his head back to Kakashi. "We may outmatch Gato in training. However, number-wise…"

I got it. Number-wise, this situation may not be suitable for first kills. If Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, or myself experienced our first kill and psyched ourselves out, we could become burdens rather than assets. Which could also play to Gato's advantage. "There is an easy solution to that-" I started to say.

However, Kakashi cut me off before I could finish. "We're not using explosives". Fine, I thought with a roll of my eyes. Do things the hard and less time-efficient way.

Kakashi eyed me with his one visible eye. And when I kept my lips pressed together for a good solid moment, he moved on. "Sakura, Naruto", he called out; immediately capturing the two's attention. "Come over here. You too Sasuke".

"What?" Naruto asked as he jogged over; ducking around some workers as Sakura followed at a more reserved pace. "What are we doing? Do we get to help build the bridge?"

Kakashi said nothing until all of us stood in a circle; shoulder to shoulder. And then he sighed as if it pained him to say this. "When Gato attacks we will be outnumbered. And all of you will have to kill". Kakashi spoke slowly to make sure we felt every heavy implication of his words.

The wide, eager grin slipped off Naruto's face as he adopted a confused expression instead. Sakura lowered her gaze completely and worried her bottom lip. Sasuke remained as stoic as ever, though the way he clenched his jaw was telling.

"For most, the first kill is instinctual. The first kill happens because survival depends on it", Kakashi was taking his time as he explained this. Every word was said as if he was delivering bad news. "For genin, and sometimes chunin, their first kill can cause them to become distracted; trapped in their own heads. Some experience panic or guilt or many different things that all conflict". And here I thought shinobi weren't supposed to feel anything. "It can take time and effort to adapt after a first kill". Kakashi paused to look at each of us in turn. "Which is a luxury you won't have on this mission. After your first kill, another person will already be attacking. And Gato's people aren't going to wait for you to collect yourself".

Naruto grumbled uncomfortably to himself as Sakura fiddled with the ends of her hair; eyes held wide. Sasuke posture resembled a stone statue more than a person's. While I could feel my beating faster than normal. Haku eyed us all with sympathy and I kind of hated him for it. "So", Kakashi said; sounding more determined as he straightened his spine. "Let's discuss kill shots, fatal injuries, and where to aim your weapons".

And didn't that just sound like the most wonderful day ever? As team seven stared apprehensively at their teacher, I slowly raised my hand. "You know", I started, and only once I had Kakashi's attention. "If we could try-"

"No explosives!" Tazuna barked as he passed by once more; carrying a full armload. I let my hand drop to my side; a frustrated scowl on my face. But it's the best solution!


Sharpening kunai and shuriken was a normal chore. Hell, in the academy it was busywork reserved for the students who always finished tests before their peers. Academy weapons, while purposely blunt, needed a lot of care for all the mishandling they must endure.

When Shino and I were given our first sets of official ninja weaponry, we also got great practice in maintaining them. Sharpening them was a task that I didn't have to think about. It was automatic to run them over a whetstone and check to make so both sides of the blade were balanced.

Usually, when I went through the motions, I could think about whatever I wanted; recite pi, count how many little songs Anzu made up as she cleaned, and think of ways I could get back at Anko after she messed with me. But tonight, the only thing I could focus on were my weapons. I wasn't sharpening them because they had been dulled during training. Nor was it time for routine maintenance. I was doing this because they needed to be sharp enough to slice through skin and hit major arteries. It was this context that made the mundane chore a foreboding affair.

The mood amongst team seven was significantly quieter than was the norm as we all sat around Tsunami's kitchen table with our tools spread out in front of us. In a way, it was nice not to have to listen to Naruto's hyperactivity, Sakura's nagging, or Sasuke's annoyance. But, at this point, I would have also welcomed the distraction. Only Haku and Kakashi seemed at ease, each concentrating on their own murder tools. Only Haku seemed at peace as he sharpened his senbon with a stupid graceful little smile on his face. Silence. It was dreadful.