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Since the mission to the Pearl's Grace, things had changed. It wasn't big changes, but it was noticeable. Ann felt uneasy after she had time to process and was clingy to Zabuza. He didn't mind though. It was as much comfort for him as it was for her.
Just being on that ship unsettled Ann even though she didn't see anything from being so focused on concealment and staying out of sight. She had this cold feeling that wasn't from the storm, and it had a stronger grip on her each time someone fell and didn't get up. It gave her goosebumps and the cold was deep, almost drowning. And a different chill froze her when they got stopped by that masked man and Zabuza had to say that weird stuff. She knew he looked right at her even without seeing his eyes because for that moment, something sharp like a kunai pierced her senses. She wanted to tell Zabuza, but she wasn’t sure how to describe what she felt nor did she want to worry him more. Zabuza wasn’t acting quite the same either since that night, but she felt more secure because of it.
He was giving her more attention like carrying her more often and even bringing her snacks when he checked on her more frequently. She even woke up to him nearby when before he’d be in another room doing other things. As much as she liked his extra attention just from standing nearby, the change also worried her.

The storm had finally passed a few days after that mission, and Yagura hadn't called Zabuza back for a mission either. He was relieved, but also didn’t like the wait of being summoned or being informed when he went to get a mission. It was probably time to go out to train some more. Tension had been building since that night, and if he didn’t physically burn it off, Ann would find a way to ask questions to make it come out in a different way. Zabuza was in his weapons closet packing their training bag when Ann hovered to watch him.
Ann~Do you need to go on a mission?
Zabuza~No, kid. We’re going to go train.
Ann~Oh, okay…
She relaxed that he wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she. Ann didn’t like the idea of having to go on a mission with him again so soon. Zabuza sensed her chakra shift and pulled her over to sit with him as he packed.
Zabuza~We’ll go in the morning. Is there anything you wanted to try using?
Ann~I get to choose?
Her eyes widened with excitement. She liked the idea of being able to choose something. Ann eyed the sword Zabuza brought home the other week.
Ann~Can we take that sword? You said that it was for me, right?
He tried to sound teasing. Tried
Zabuza~Do you think you’re ready?
Ann~I don’t think you would have gotten it if you thought I wasn’t.
She clearly didn't pick it up, but he was intrigued at her assumption.
Zabuza~How do you know I got it for you?
Ann~You didn’t? Why did you get it then?
Zabuza~No. It's too…decorative. And I already told you, not until you’re older, brat. I didn’t forget.
Ann pouted~Fine…Can we take it though?
He rolled his eyes.
Zabuza~Yeah, brat. We'll take it.

They left for their training area the next morning, and their quiet walk felt like the tension was pulling tighter and releasing into relief at the same time. It was still early morning by the time they arrived, and since he didn't want Ann to pass out from exhaustion before they got started, he had her rest first.
Ann~Zabi? Can I have something to eat?
Zabuza~Yeah. Just a snack for now though.
He took off the bag and took out an apple to toss to Ann as he set the bag down nearby. Zabuza took a few steps away from Ann to swing the sword a few times. The motion was already helping him unwind from that close call with the Abyssal.
Ann~Are we starting with that?
Zabuza~Sort of. I doubt you can pick it up. I think it weighs as much as you, if not heavier.
Ann~Then why did you agree we can bring it?
Zabuza~It’ll help with chakra control. You don’t need muscle mass to have strength. Although it does help so you don’t have to use all your chakra.
He transitioned to basic sword forms. Since it was lighter than Kubikiribocho, it took less effort to swing, and that meant less effort to stop attacking too. He pushed the thought of how close he came to killing her out of the way. It was a mistake he made that didn’t turn into a tragedy, and there was no point in lingering on it.
Ann~Oh, okay. Will it be like the last time we sparred?
Zabuza~Similar concept, but closer to walking on walls. You would need a constant source of chakra to have the strength to wield it. Any bursts of chakra, like if you strike at me, would give you enough strength to swing it for an attack.
Ann~Do you think I could use it one-handed like you?
Zabuza~Right now? Absolutely not. You will eventually though.
Ann finished her apple and set the core to the side. She waited for Zabuza to stop practicing his sword forms before approaching. She didn't want the chance of him swinging at her again. Zabuza knelt next to her and spoke as he positioned her hands and feet
Zabuza~Since you're small, you need to choke up your grip. Hold it as far up to the blade as you can, otherwise it'll be top heavy and just drop. Keep your stance wide to compensate for the weight.
He held the sword steady as she planted herself and prepared for the weight. Once he felt her chakra build up enough, he slowly let Ann hold the weight.
Ann straining~It’s heavy…
Zabuza~Keep holding it. You almost have it by yourself.
Her arms and wrists shook from the strain of holding the weight. Her back was also hurting from leaning back to counterbalance the weight
Zabuza~You'll fall over if the sword slips. Use your core and hips to hold the weight, not just your arms
With his free hand, he pushed at her shoulders to adjust her back forward all the while holding the sword steady for her to adjust. He let go but kept his hand near as he watched her struggle.
Ann~This is h-hard
Zabuza~Never said it'd be easy. Hold it for five more counts.
He counted slowly, and watched her shake. At five, he grabbed the sword and caught her when she released her grasp. Ann breathed hard from the strain
Ann~Why can you do it easy?
Zabuza~I'm not small. Shake it off and we can try again.
She pushed away from his arm to stand on her own. Her arms still shook
Ann pouted~I don’t like that this is hard…
Zabuza~Is this the hardest lesson you’ve had?
Ann~Yeah…
Zabuza~What happened to learning how to fall?
Ann~That was different. I–
She pouted. Zabuza waited for her to answer.
Ann~I was scared…
Zabuza~Are you scared now?
Ann~I dunno…Maybe?
Zabuza~Tell me.
Ann~I…I dunno how…
She wiped her eyes and clenched her teeth to keep from crying. He set the sword down and then lifted Ann off her feet to sit her down in the grass. Then he shifted from kneeling to sitting as well.
Zabuza~Was it when I came home with the sword or from the mission?
Ann~Both…
Zabuza~What do you want to talk about first?
Her brows furrowed. She didn’t want to talk about that, not yet at least. Any deep fears kept circling back when he first mentioned the danger and trying to protect them.
Ann~Why are we in danger?
Zabuza sighed~I can’t answer that yet.
Ann~Then how do you know?
Zabuza~It’s sort of related to when we were stopped after that mission…
Ann~What WILL you tell me then?
He sighed again and rubbed his temples with one hand. Starting broad wouldn’t hurt. She's going to learn the ninja ranking anyway
Zabuza~The masked figure that stopped us is called an Abyssal. They’re specialized ninja who're supposed to help keep the village safe.
Ann~What do you mean supposed to?
Zabuza~That one we met didn't mean to keep us safe.
Ann frowned
Ann~But…why?
Zabuza~Either they are corrupt or someone higher up is.
Ann~What's corrupt?
Zabuza~Someone who isn't acting the way they're supposed to. They might lack care in knowing they're doing something bad, or someone in charge is doing that and allowing or encouraging it to happen beneath them
Ann~What was he going to do? And why did the stuff you said to him made him go?
Zabuza~Not good things.
Ann waited for another moment before realizing that he answered both questions with that one response. She rubbed her arms as she began to understand the gravity of what had happened
Zabuza~Do you want to keep talking? Or do you want to get back to training?
She shook her head and wiped her eyes again
Zabuza~Come here, brat.
She crawled into his lap and tightly gripped at his shirt. She felt him adjust around her and held her close
Zabuza~You can tell me anything that bothers you. I'll answer your questions if I can. Let me worry about the big problems. I'll keep you safe.
He brushed her hair back as she started to shake from holding back tears.

After a while, Ann stopped shaking so Zabuza moved them to their bag. He sat her in front of him and passed her a bento and water.
Zabuza~Eat. You'll feel better
Ann~But…we hardly trained…
Zabuza~No, but crying takes a lot of energy. You can't get strong if you pass out.
Ann~That will keep us from getting hurt?
Zabuza~It'll help. Because that means I can trust you to fight at my side one day.
Ann~Will I get good enough to protect you?
Zabuza~If you can manage that then I'm old enough to retire
Ann giggled and smiled, making him scoff. He still smiled at her anyway.
Zabuza~Start eating, brat. We'll go slow with sword training. You'll learn to summon your own mist. It'll help with concealment.
Ann~Will you also teach me how you hear so good?
Zabuza~You still haven't figured it out?
Ann~It's not a jutsu?
Zabuza~It's derived from the silent killing technique. Since the mist makes visibility to nothing the user can't see either. So other senses, specifically hearing, are heightened while deafening your own movements.
He watched her slowly nod as she took a bite of breakfast. He sighed and face palmed. The limits to her understanding is his reminder that she's still a child.
Zabuza~Mist makes it so you can't see either. The silent killing technique lets you move quietly and also makes your hearing better.
Ann~Ooooh. Okay. But is it a jutsu?
He pinched the bridge of his nose next, sighing again.
Zabuza~No. No hand seals. Just chakra control and skill. Go finish eating, brat.
She giggled and nodded. Zabuza sighed another time then reached into the bag to finally get his own bento.

After they ate, Zabuza led her to the edge of the lake.
Zabuza~You can summon the mist by using a water source or from your own chakra. We'll start by using a source.
He pointed at the lake so he didn't have to reword it for her.
Zabuza~The jutsu only uses one seal and one hand.
Ann~Yeah, you use your right hand to make the ram seal, right?
Zabuza~That’s right. You'll pull the water from the lake into the air. Summon the mist first, as big as you can. We'll work on control later.
Ann~That’s it?
Zabuza~That’s all it is.
Ann~That sounds too easy, Zabi.
Zabuza~Don't overthink it then.
Her face scrunched and she looked between him and the lake.
Ann~You're not simple.
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms
Zabuza~Simpler than you think. Just try it, brat.
Ann sighed and brought her hand up to her chest, closing her eyes. She took a slow deep breath and focused her chakra, trying to feel for the water nearby.
Zabuza watched a small amount of mist form at her feet. He didn't expect her to even form that much on the first attempt. He kept quiet and continued to watch the mist stay low but expand around his feet and a few feet further.
Zabuza~Not bad. More chakra. Pull it upwards.
Ann~How do I pull it up?
Zabuza~Same way when you steal the blankets.
She giggled and the mist started to rise. He smirked and shook his head
Zabuza~This ******** brat…I can't believe that actually worked. Whatever you thought of worked. Higher.