So here I am again I just finished Re-writing and Re-Uploading my story.

Chapter 2. Matters of the Heart

Previously Ino Yamanaka Snucked-up Haku and Sakura caught them both by surprise. It was made clear that there seems to be an animosity between Sakura and this girl named Ino as Haku observed.

Ino looked at Haku and began to talk to her

Ino: So you must be the new girl in town? The name's Ino yamanaka by the way. "Says Ino with a smile"

Haku: The pleasure's all mine...

Ino smiled and thought how cute Haku is being so polite and refined.

Ino: Anyway, I heard you were crashing in with naruto so what's the deal between you two are you his wife or something?

Haku: It is not like that. Naruto-samma saved me, I owe my life to him so in return, I pledged myself as his tool for the rest of my life.

Ino gave a confused expression and didn't really understand what Haku meant.

Ino: Oh, so he saved you huh, that's so romantic he's like your knight and shining armor. So that means you like him right?

Haku: What do you mean like him? what exactly are you implying?

Ino: You know.. luvy-duvy stuff, holding hands, going on dates and him being your husband and you his wife. "Ino says teasingly "

Haku was flustered in the idea of what ino was implying and began thinking to herself. It seems Ino's question has struck something within her, something that has been growing, something that she hasn't noticed up until now.

She's been so busy with helping Naruto that she hadn't noticed that her feelings for him were growing and changing and that she's becoming more attached to him than a mere tool should be.

her thoughts continue..

Haku: Me? Naruto-Samma's wife? I..I have never imagined such things.. nor have I considered the possibility.

Images of her memories of him flashed before her mind. His smile, that bright smile of his full of warmth and hope, the smile she vowed to protect. His Face when he sleeps how adorable and how vulnerable he is when he sleeps. The way he ate his manners maybe rough but he always appreciated everything she cooked and it always brightens her up every time Naruto compliments her cooking.

She recalls past events like when Naruto saved her from commiting suicide when he told her he needed her. She remembers how Naruto took responsibility for her in front of the Hokage himself. She recalled when Naruto took responsibility for her actions at the grocer that she threatened once. The memories from training together, that time during the chuunin exams when kiri-nin tortured him and asked him about her, he never sold her out. She remembers how proud she was when she watched him defeat Neji and how happy she felt when Naruto hugged her and gave the credit of his victory to her training. She remembers how impressed she was at Naruto when he saved everyone including her from Gaara. Her adventures with him when they traveled with master Jiraiya to search for Lady Tsunade. How he was able to get through to Tsunade's heart and How he was able to master the rasengan the strength and courage he displayed when they fought against Kabuto and Orochimaru. Everything about Naruto was etched into her heart, mind and soul

Haku: Everyday Naruto-samma becomes more and more precious to me. I have been thinking about him more and more lately. I can't quite understand it it's a strange feeling something I never felt even with Zabuza-San.

Ino notices the lack of response and that Haku was now in a world of her own. She snaps her out of it..

Ino: Hello, are you still with us?

Haku comes back to reality

Haku: My apologies.. I..It's just I have no knowledge and experience on such things. So I really do not know how to respond to your question..

Ino: What do you mean you don't know? It's obvious you like him I could even say you love him hihihi "Ino says teasingly"

Haku's eyes widened with a blush but she couldn't understand why, she was reacting that way. It was like her feelings were telling her that Ino was telling the truth.

Sakura smirked and giggled a little, seeing Haku in such an adorable and vulnerable state. It wasn't difficult for her to figure out that Indeed Haku had developed feelings for Naruto.

Ino: You were probably thinking about him were you? That's why you spaced out hihihi. It's written all over your face "Ino says teasingly"

Haku blushed even more that Ino knew exactly what was going through her mind. She felt like a criminal caught red handed with all the evidence present.

Ino: Well, if you like him then you should just go and tell him how you feel. You never know, someone might want to steal him from you. " Says teasingly while turning her head towards hinata who turned away blushing"

Haku, noticed and looked over to Hinata who was obviously listening on them. Then she remembers that Hinata had been staring at Naruto since they met this morning. Something about the way she looks at Naruto made her feel uncomfortable. Haku's expression switched to an irritated expression as she was thinking about Hinata

Ino, upon seeing this knew what it was. It was jealousy. It made her giggle a bit seeing Haku's reaction. Then with a grin a mischievous idea lit up inside her head.

Ino: Who knows maybe even Sakura here might fall for Naruto one day. Since Sasuke is not around anymore and Naruto likes Sakura so it's quite the possibility. "Ino Says with a huge grin on her face"

Sakura eeked at what Ino just said.. and thought to herself.

Sakura: What the heck Ino! are you trying to get me killed?

Before Sakura could even berate Ino for her teasing she is met by Haku's glare. She was glaring at her with daggers in her eyes.

Ino, seeing Haku and Sakura's reaction becomes more amused.

Ino: How cute, so you're the jealous type I see hihihi.

Haku's eyes widened when she heard the word "Jealous" She knew what "Jealousy" meant from a dictionary standpoint. She knew it meant to want something that belonged to another person and have feelings of anger and resentment towards them for having that "Something" So what is it exactly, does Hinata and Sakura have that made her uncomfortable around them.

Haku gave a frown at her thoughts. Ino and Sakura looked at each other and both made a frown and worried face. Ino felt bad that her teasing may have gone a bit too far.

Ino: Look, If you really love Naruto you should just tell him how you feel. I don't see anything wrong with you two being a couple. Besides, it's better for him to have someone like you who truly loves him, not like billboard brow here who's always been mean to him.

Sakura grew a vein upon hearing Ino's insulting remarks about her forehead.

Haku let out a small smile, it was comforting hearing words of encouragement and re-assurance. but still, a lot was going through her mind now. Their conversation has made her want to re-evaluate everything about her thoughts and her feelings, especially her feelings for Naruto.

Sakura seeing that Haku was somehow depressed and deep in thoughts frowned and dragged Ino out of the water into the changing room.

Ino: He..Heyy what gives. why'd you have to drag me like that "Says Ino in an irritated tone"

Sakura: Well duh? Your teasing and harassing has made her sad you dumb pig! "Says sakura in an irritated tone"

Ino: Well, I was having a little fun that's all and I wasn't harassing her, I was just asking her about her feelings you know just a girl talk.

Sakura: Yeah Right!?

Ino: Chill out girl, You know if you want to do something for her then why not help her with Naruto. It was really obvious that she's in love with him but that idiot probably won't notice it. You know, it may even help clear things out with you two, I can totally see that she's jealous of you maybe that's why she isn't warming up to you.

Sakura's eyes widened at Ino's claim that Haku was jealous of her

Sakura: Why would she even be jealous of me? She's much prettier, she's so much stronger if anything I'm the one who's jealous of her. Besides she's living with Naruto and has him all to herself.

Ino: Yet, It's still you who Naruto likes. You, know for someone who's considered the smartest girl in class you're being dumb right now or maybe hanging out with Naruto has rubbed in on you.

Sakura feels bad for Haku now not because she has any plans of falling for Naruto but because she understands what Haku is feeling. She understands how it feels to chase after someone she loves.

Ino: "Sighs" Well she's part of your team whether you like it or not. I guess all you can do for her now is just be nice to her maybe someday she'll get over her jealousy towards you.

Sakura: I..I guess you're right.

Ino: Anyway, : I think we should leave her alone and let her think for a while. Hey, I heard they have a game room here, wanna play or are you too chicken to lose ms. forehead "says ino teasingly"

Sakura was quickly rattled up with what Ino just said

Sakura: Grr! no way I'm losing to a Pig like you Cha!

With that, Sakura and Ino moved along and decided to leave Haku alone..

Haku was still drifting in her sea of thoughts she stared blankly at her reflection in the warm hotspring waters. She knew that she needed to clear things out with herself then and there. She didn't want her emotional distress to deter her in providing Naruto the best service she could. The worst, is that it may affect them in carrying out their missions.

Haku begins to think about Zabuza and Naruto she tries to compare her feelings for the two. She thinks to herself..

Haku: Zabuza-san was the one who first found me. he was the one who gave me a purpose to live he was the very first person to teach me everything I know. He was my first precious person. I was happy and content with my arrangement with Zabuza-san. It never really bothered me how he saw me or what he felt about me I was just happy that I had a purpose.. I never longed for anything with Zabuza-san I just followed his commands to the letter as his tool, even killing my emotions. Then came Naruto-samma he not only saved me but gave me a new purpose..

Haku: Is that it? Is that really all the reason why I've grown so attached to him? was it only because he filled the empty void that was left inside me. Zabuza-san did the same when he first found me so, why is it so different with Naruto-Samma?

Haku: I never wanted anything but to be of use to Zabuza-san However there is a longing feeling that I have for Naruto-Samma. could this really be the feeling they call love? Am I really In-love with Naruto-Samma?

Haku found it difficult to try and come to find the answer. She hadn't noticed that Ino and Sakura had left her alone. She was hoping that they were around so she could ask them more questions regarding the matters of the heart.

But it seems the only one left was Hinata.

Haku: That girl, I've noticed that she kept looking at Naruto-Samma with eyes filled with warmth and affection. Eyes that make me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it's best if I speak to her. My instincts are telling me to do so..

Chapter 2 End

Credits

"Tempered in Water" a fanfic by HitokiriOTD

Thanks for reading chapter 2. About the kiri-nin that tortured Naruto from Haku's memory it was actually because in Chapter 9 in Tempered in water. Naruto was targetted and tortured by Kiri-Nin who were after Haku.