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It had been a week and the storm was still going strong. Zabuza only had to leave once to get more groceries, but otherwise he stayed home to keep a close eye on Ann. Since learning about Auron's lineage through his letters and that Ann had the potential to also gain those powers, he didn't want her out of his sight for very long. Now, if only he could get Ann to stop hiding from him.

Zabuza stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He couldn't sense Ann again.
Zabuza~Quit being a brat. It's bath time!
He didn't hear a reply. He sighed and thought of her recent hiding spots. Maybe she didn't learn yet and hid under the bed again.
Zabuza~Why does she keep hiding from me? There's better ways to practice…
He didn't find her under the bed this time. That didn't leave a lot of hiding spots for her.
Ann in the meantime figured out how to climb the ceiling and mask her chakra at the same time. She found a spot near the fridge that Zabuza didn't seem to notice. He never questioned her why there was a kunai taped to the wall for three days that week. And that's where she hid as Zabuza walked into the kitchen with a towel thrown over his shoulder.
Zabuza~You can’t keep hiding from me, brat. I'll find you soon enough, you little demon.
Ann~Demon? That's new…
Her moment of confusion made her control slip just enough for Zabuza to turn to find her.
Zabuza~Come here!
She screamed and dropped from the wall, completely losing focus. He managed to wrap her in the towel before she could scramble to her feet.
Ann~I don't want to bathe!
Zabuza~That’s too damn bad, brat. Stop kicking!
Ann continued to struggle even as Zabuza undressed her in his arms and then got dropped into the tub. Zabuza didn’t risk giving her a chance to run off by setting her down.
Ann~Zabuza!
Zabuza~If you stopped struggling like I said that wouldn't have happened. And if you splash me I'll make you draw out all 206 bones again
She pouted but agreed.

After her bath and they both got dressed, Ann sat on his stomach as he laid down on the bed.
Zabuza~Did you want something?
Ann~Why do you always put these bow clips in my hair?
Zabuza~You've had them since you were an infant.
Ann~Did you get them for me?
Zabuza~No, but it's easier than learning to tie hair.
Ann~Sooo…if I asked you to, you would?
Zabuza~Don't push your luck. You'd learn how too anyway.
They heard a knock at the front door. Zabuza shushed her before she said anything, and signaled her to stay in the bedroom.

At the door, Zabuza looked through the peephole. He recognized the figure's mask as one of the Abyssals, the title to Kiri's Anbu organization. This one in particular is one of Yagura's personal elites, the Maw division. He simply spoke through the door.
Zabuza~What is it?
Maw~Mizukage summons you. Urgent.
Zabuza~I'll be there in ten. Leave.
He watched the figure nod and then disappear. Zabuza sighed and made his way to the bedroom to change into his standard swordsman attire.
Ann~What happened?
Zabuza~The Kage is calling for me directly. I need to leave right now.
He hesitated when he saw the look on her face. There was concern in her eyes and fear. No one’s ever knocked on the door before today. Against his own instincts, he gave Ann a hug. She trembled as she pulled at his shirt.
Zabuza~If I’m not sent out right away, I’ll come home first like I always do before a mission. Don’t worry about me. Just stay vigilant. Do you understand?
Ann~Yes, Zabi…I love you…
Another hesitation. He still couldn’t say it back. But if he did now, it just felt like he wouldn’t be returning home. So, he answered like he always did.
Zabuza~I do too.
He pulled away and tucked her hair behind her ear to look at her once more, then left the room. Ann sat back on the bed and pulled her knees to her chest. Somehow, this felt different than the other times he had to go on missions, and it wasn’t just because someone told him he had to go.

Zabuza stood before Yagura. He kept his eyes on the man as he signed and shuffled papers around. There was a Maw agent in each corner of the room, but they weren’t as important to him.
Zabuza~You requested me?
Yagura~I did. There's been some trouble at the docks with inventory. I need you to clean them up.
Zabuza~Sounds like something you could have used anyone else for, like maybe Kisame.
Yagura~He'd do more damage than I'd care to replace. You're better for the job.
Zabuza~Will I be cleaning up inventory or the book keepers as well?
Yagura~Both. Fix the numbers. Remind the crew how to follow orders.
Zabuza~Who lives for the message to be heard?
Yagura~Just the captain. Make an example of the Logistics Master though. They hid something from me. There are consequences for forgetting who commands them. No one deviates from my rule.
Zabuza~Anything else?
Yagura~The sweep will occur while you're gone. Wouldn't want your sister to have a reason to kill you, eh?
He flipped some more papers.
Zabuza scoffed~She could try.
Yagura~You have until midnight at the Pearl's Grace. Report back as soon as you finish.
He nodded his head and turned.
Zabuza~I'll report by midnight.
He left. That hiding something was too on the nose for his liking and mentioning Ane was deliberate. The only redeeming thing about it all was that he warned him. He's usually able to time Ann's training sessions around those sweeps or be home when it happened for them to pass over. He didn't like the timing of it all.

When he got home, he sighed in relief at seeing Ann at the table. She ran to hug him as soon as the door closed.
Zabuza~Did anything else happen when I left?
He set his sword to the side and removed his coat before he finally patted her head.
Ann~No…just…it was quiet…
Zabuza~Better that way. Come on. I need to do a mission. I can't leave you here this time.
Ann~What do you mean?
She followed him to the bedroom and sat on the bed as he looked through the dresser drawers.
Zabuza~Exactly as I said. You can't be left alone while I'm gone. I'm taking you with me.
He tossed two shirts and a pair of pants in her direction, all black.
Ann~Am I in danger?
He quietly sighed as he helped her change
Zabuza~Only if you stay. Your safety is my priority.
He set her bow clip on the bed. He sighed again and cupped her cheek.
Zabuza~Stay close to me, but stay out of sight. Use what I taught you to hide like you did to me earlier. Keep calm to stay in control of your chakra.
Ann~Okay…
He hummed in approval. He grabbed the second shirt and fixed it over her face, folding it over in certain spots to make it snug then tucked the extra fabric into her shirt. He didn't own any fabric masks, and even if he did it wouldn't be in her size. Thankfully Ane had taught him the shirt trick when he was still a kid. He got up to grab her a holster and a side pouch.
Zabuza~I'd send you to the Leaf already if I could. But it's too early and you aren't ready to travel by yourself if I were to dictate anything. And there hasn't been a mission that would even allow me to get close to the Leaf Village to take you there myself.
He sighed again as he handed the things to Ann and moved to grab a small bag to carry other tools he'd need and their ponchos. It's better for concealment and intimidation than coats, but the downfall is that it won't be as warm. He'll need to make the mission fast to get her out of the storm sooner.
Ann~What's your mission?
Zabuza~Brutal disciplining. It won't be pretty. I'd prefer you didn’t see it, but it can't be helped.
He looked her over once more and made sure he properly packed her weapons. Satisfied, he pulled Ann's poncho over her head and fixed the hood in place
Zabuza~Let's go. It needs to be completed tonight.
They went to the door as he pulled his poncho over. Zabuza checked everything once more and fixed Kubikiribocho to his back.
Zabuza~Stay close to me. Stay out of sight. Stay quiet. If you have to speak, wait until I acknowledge you. Questions?
Ann~What happens if I'm caught?
Zabuza~It shouldn't happen. If it does though, run. Run away from me first and hide. If you can't lose them, then you run towards me so I can deal with them. Then you run away again. Is that clear?
Ann~Yes. If I have to fight?
Zabuza~Use what I taught you to protect yourself by any means necessary. There's no room for fear, pride, or family. You're a weapon as soon as we go outside until we're home with the mission completed. Any final questions?
She shook her head, but still shifted on her feet. Zabuza sighed and knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. She tightly hugged him back
Zabuza~Follow my instructions and it'll be fine. Just keep me in your sights and I'll keep you protected
Ann~Okay…I trust you, Zabi.

With the recent chakra training they did, Ann quickly learned how to jump and keep pace with Zabuza as they traveled towards the west docks. Despite the rain and her disguise, Zabuza didn’t want to risk anyone spotting Ann, so they avoided areas that were crowded with residential housing or high traffic with pedestrians and arrived during the last lights of the evening.
Zabuza~Stay in the shadows. You don't need to watch what I do.
He saw her nod, and they went down. Ann ducked behind crates and mooring posts to stay out of sight and keep distance as she followed Zabuza up the gangplank.

Zabuza boarded first, and was immediately confronted by a crew member.
Zabuza~I need the Logistics Master. A message from Lord Yagura.
The crew member gulped, but still answered that he needed to find a man named Sota and pointed to the upper deck. With that, Zabuza cut him down and moved on to the next person. He cleared the area quickly, and didn’t hear any further movement. Before going up the stairs, he moved back to the gangplank to check Ann's position. She was ducked down, just to the side.
Zabuza~You’re doing good. I’m leaving a clone to cover that door while I go upstairs. Stay out of the way and keep your chakra low.
He watched her nod before creating a clone and then continuing up. With the size of the ship, he expected at most 20 people. He’d already taken care of eight. He’ll find Sota and plant his skull in the command room. Then he’ll take care of the inside barracks for any remaining people.
He passed the large windows of the bridge and didn’t see anyone inside, so he continued around the corner, away from the captain's quarters.
He entered the door and made his way down the narrow corridor. It was inconvenient, but not impossible. One by one, he checked rooms he came across, and killed a few more of the crew. None of them had the right markers to be the Logistics Master. Until he saw Sato round the corner. Unlike everyone else who saw him, this one tried bolting on sight. Zabuza had to cross the hallway, but he didn't even need to chase him. A couple kunai in different joints effectively immobilized Sota and allowed Zabuza to walk to him.
Zabuza~Sota, huh? You already know why I'm here then.
Sota~Please! I'll do anything! I can pay you!
Zabuza~That anything should've been done before I was called.
He pulled out a kunai as he came closer. Then he knelt down to grab a fistfull of his hair.
Zabuza~Lord Yagura sends his regards.
In a swift motion, he stabbed the kunai to Sota's neck, cutting through the vein and artery, and pushed it further in between the cervical vertebrae with a pop. He made quick work to sever the rest of the head, wiped his knife on Sato's shirt, then walked on to clear the remaining rooms in the U-hall, skipping the captain's quarters for now. He still needed to clear the barracks, after all.
Outside, he entered the command room and spiked the head on the wheel before going back down to his clone and Ann.
Zabuza~I'm almost done. Are you doing okay?
Ann~Yes. It's cold.
Zabuza~Not much longer. Then we'll go home. Stay where you are.
She nodded again and Zabuza left. Now that he doesn't need to check for the Logistics Master, he can clear the rest of the crew quickly. He summoned two more water clones, and they went down the halls and stairs with efficiency to take out the remaining crewmates. After getting the reports from his clones, he went back up to the deck to “fetch” the captain by banging on his room's door and leaving. Zabuza heard him call out as he waited.
Captain~What is it?!
The captain didn't get a response, so he left his room. The door to the deck was wide open, and all he felt was dread at the quiet storm outside. There was no movement save for the sway of the ship. He moved outside, and looked over the railing as a flash of lightning lit the sky. He saw his crew on the floor, and a figure at the bottom of the stairs. Frightened, he moved into the command room and screamed upon seeing the severed head on the wheel. The rain against the window seemed to amplify until Zabuza walked in with a knock, making the captain turn.
Zabuza~Remember that you serve Lord Yagura. Keep the books clean, or you'll look like Sota next time.
Against his better judgement, he looked at the head again. He paled and nodded once.
Captain~A-aye aye, sir!
With that, Zabuza left calmly. At the bottom of the stairs, he told Ann to start moving down the gangplank and had his clone stay to watch the captain while his back was still turned.

Back on the docks, Zabuza continued to have Ann stay ahead of him as they moved along. Zabuza didn’t release his control on the clone either, but rather let the distance between them take care of it instead. Once they were far enough from the shipyard and hidden between some buildings, he gently pulled Ann to the side and looked her over. He couldn’t wait until they got home. He needed to make sure she wasn't hurt.
Ann~Did I do something wrong?
Zabuza~No. You were just out of my sight for too long.
Ann~You're just worried?
Zabuza scoffed~Yeah, a little. There's one last stop before we can head home. Keep doing what you're doing.
Ann~Okay…
She's been tired. The travel there had taken most of her energy, as did keeping her focus on masking her chakra. It didn't help that she was hungry now too.

Back in the main area of the village, Zabuza kept a close eye on the Abyssals’ patrol route. There was a spot near the admin building where he could leave Ann with a water clone and stay in their blind spot, otherwise he'd have to take her inside, and who knows how many ninja are still going in and out of the building. It wasn't that late for other ninjas after all.
Zabuza~I'm gonna leave you in a safe spot again with a clone. Just like before, keep quiet and stay still.
He watched her nod before they moved again. Just like he observed, the blind spot worked well as an Abyssal walked past them. Zabuza left Ann with a clone without another word.

Yagura~What results did you get?
Zabuza~It's done. The crew was purged, the Logistics Master used as an example, the captain knows his place. Is there another service you need from me?
Yagura~For now, no. Probably in a few days. You're dismissed
Zabuza bowed his head and left. He expected this to take longer, but he isn't complaining. He didn't have to be in the jinchuriki's presence longer than needed, and Ann doesn't have to stay in the cold anymore.

Outside, he dispelled the clone and left for home with Ann at his heels. They were almost out of the main village area where Zabuza could safely carry Ann when a single Abyssal stopped him.
Zabuza~What do you need?
Abyssal~You’re not one to have live cargo, Zabuza. What's your plan with it getting late?
Zabuza~Like you said, it's getting late. I just got done with a mission. Pleasure of the flesh you could say.
The figure moved slightly to study the small stature that stood behind Zabuza.
Abyssal~Fairly young flesh to indulge in.
Zabuza~No one will miss a street urchin. Anyways, I know one of your own has a preference for boys…and another prefers four legs. Clean up your own circle before you judge my tastes.
Abyssal~Carry on.
They jumped off. Zabuza grumbled at the filth he had to say, but it was either his image or her identity.
Zabuza~Let's go. I can carry you soon.

Zabuza ran the rest of the way with Ann in his arms and eventually got home without any more problems. Inside, he reset the jutsus, leaned his sword against the door, then sat down, holding her tight. She patted his side
Ann~You’re smothering me
Zabuza~No I'm not. I need a minute for a tactile reset.
Ann~Can we eat soon though?
Zabuza~Yeah. Let's warm up in a bath first. Go get the water started.
He let her go and she hurried off. He wiped his eyes from the rain water. That was too close of a call. Ann was almost taken.