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Getting to the first rebel cell only took a few hours to reach. While Ann waited at the entrance of the safehouse, Mei took care of the personnel count and Zabuza went through the paper logistics. He kept a few older documents, specifically ones that would lead Yagura away from their plans if he chose to pursue them, and tossed the remaining papers into a pile to burn.
Once that was situated, Mei went outside to plan with the cell on a new safehouse location as Zabuza took care of tearing the place apart. He even let Ann break a few things, and couldn't decide if he should be worried or proud of her for interest in destruction. It was definitely funny to watch Ann flip a table and throw a chair at the wall only for it to bounce back and floor her. Zabuza led Ann outside once they were done and closed the door.
Zabuza~Last call, anything inside that should be taken to the next place?
Everyone declined so Zabuza broke down the door and threw in a kunai with a fire tag wrapped around the handle. The safehouse quickly caught on fire as they left for their next destination.

They spoke little as they escorted the rebels to the next safehouse. Zabuza shut down any questions about Ann with just a look as they always glanced in his direction. Whatever conversations that were had were business and Mei handled it anyway. With Ann's presence and needing to calculate her endurance and fatigue, it was easier to keep up the muscles trope and follow Mei's lead than try to be an active participant with the planning.
It wasn't long before they reached the cell's new location. Mei gave them strict instructions to stick with the plans and Zabuza emphasized they lucked out that they were sent to eliminate them instead of loyalist shinobi. They left shortly after, headed to the next cell's location.
Ann~When can we eat?
Zabuza~Next town. There's still protein bars in my bag if you need something now.
Ann~Yes, please.
Zabuza~Mei?
Mei~I don't suppose you can just pass me my water?
Zabuza unclipped her canteen from the side of her bag and handed it to her. Then he removed his bag and handed two bars to Ann.
Zabuza~One is mine, before you eat both again.
Ann giggled as he fixed his bag.
Mei~Do you take his rations often, Ann?
Ann~Not on purpose. Most times…
Ann handed one bar to Zabuza. Mei smiled and gave him a look, knowing if she commented how he used to do that would allow an opening for Ann to ask for stories.

They stopped to eat in the next town they passed. However, Zabuza had to carry Ann for a while so she could nap. She was going to need as much rest as they could squeeze in so they could push to the third cell as quickly as possible. Mei even took Ann's bag to lighten the work. Zabuza didn’t bother making a show of it.

Ann napped for at least an hour before she finally woke.
Ann~We’re still walking?
Zabuza~Yeah. Shouldn't be too far from the next place. Ready to go down?
She stretched in his arms then slid down.
Ann~Oh, where's my bag?
Mei~I have it , dear. Here you go.
Ann put it back on
Ann~Mei, why do you call me ‘deer?’ Isn’t that an animal?
Mei~No, it's a different kind of dear. The one I used is like a petname, like how Zabuza calls you a brat even when you're not being one.
Ann~Is being a brat bad?
Mei gave Zabuza a smug look.
Zabuza~Usually for other people. You're not bad.
Ann~Were you bad because mom called you a brat?
Zabuza~No. She did it because I'm her younger brother.
Mei~More like little brother.
Zabuza~We're ten years apart. You really expect me to be taller before puberty?
Ann~What's puberty?
Zabuza~Endocrine system. We talked about it.
Ann~Fiiiine
She pouted anyway while Mei looked at them in confusion.

They eventually got to the second cell and ran its “destruction” the same way as before, including more misleading intel for Yagura. They all headed out to be escorted to the next safehouse.

By early evening, the second cell was escorted to their new safehouse and was even given the same talk. The three of them immediately set out once the cell was settled.
Ann~We've been walking all day. Are we gonna go into the night too?
Mei~No, sweety. Probably only until it gets dark.
Zabuza~It won't be long. You won't notice if you pay attention to something else.
Ann~Like what?
Zabuza~We can always review anatomy.
Ann~No. You cheat.
Mei~How does he cheat?
Ann~He doesn't like my answers most of the time.
Zabuza~You can’t call everything you don't remember ‘thingy’
Mei~Sorry, Ann. I'm with Zabuza on this one. It's funnier to know the exact details anyway.
Ann~How is it funny? Zabi never laughs at it.
Mei~It isn't. But for YOU to say it, it absolutely is.
Ann~I don't get it.
Mei~You sweet, sweet child. You'll understand soon enough.
Zabuza quietly sighed. He forgot that most children don't have to survive like them, let alone go through this type of training at this age. Whoever her academy teacher is, they'll be in for a surprise with her.

Three days later, they arrived at the third location and torched the third safehouse. The night before, Mei had suggested that Zabuza and Ann get a head start out of the area and she’ll escort the last cell then rendezvous with the two later, and she insisted on it now. She even threatened to give him a hot kiss that finally made him deflect by walking away with Ann at his heels.
Ann~What did she mean by that? Does she like you?
Zabuza~No. She wanted to burn my face. She has a kekkei genkai and can spit lava.
Ann~But isn't that stuff from volcanoes? Wouldn't that do more than burn you?
Zabuza~Exactly my point. Let's go. There's a small village nearby and we can get something to eat before we head home.

They arrived at the edge of the village within a few hours. As they crossed a small bridge over a waterway, Ann stopped following Zabuza and stood in front of a boy who had his knees pulled to his chest. He was staring blankly ahead, until he made eye contact with Ann.
Ann~Zabuza?
Zabuza slowed, but didn't stop yet.
Zabuza~We don't have time.
Ann~But Zabuza. We can't leave him.
He stopped, sighed, and took a few steps back to Ann
Zabuza~He's a street urchin. We can’t take in orphans.
Ann~What does that make me?
Zabuza almost growled. Had he done something to make her think that those labels applied to her? Calling her a street urchin that night shouldn't even count because he was protecting her from that Abyssal
Zabuza~You’re neither because you have me.
Ann~But look at him. He'll die…
Zabuza quietly huffed and looked at the boy. He made eye contact too, and understood why Ann wanted him. But he saw something else in the boy that only years of experience, or heavy trauma, could identify.
Boy~We have the same eyes, mister.
Zabuza quietly took a slow, deep breath, and let it out his nose before replying.
Zabuza~Let's go then. Both of you.
Ann~He can come???
He turned to her.
Zabuza~The boy can either stay and die, or he can come with us and be of some use.
He turned back to the boy.
Zabuza~What do you say? Will you submit to my every whim in all things?
The boy took a few moments before nodding. He got up and stood before Zabuza.
Zabuza~Good. Let's get going. Ann, no more stops unless you need something.

They didn't spend a lot of time there, only enough to get food, rations, and some things for the boy. Zabuza had to make sure whatever time they used wouldn't interfere with their rendezvous with Mei or the travel back home. And if they were delayed any further, the redhead would catch up to them.

They got to the rendezvous point early in the evening. Zabuza left the markers to signal where they were when Mei arrived. In the room, Zabuza had Ann take a bath first so he could get information on the boy.
Zabuza~Do you have a name?
Haku~Yes. Haku.
Zabuza~Haku, your foremost task is to keep Ann safe when I’m not around. She can hold her own by now, but she’s still a kid.
Haku~I have no ninja training, though.
Zabuza~You’ve killed people. That’s all I need to keep her safe. Understood?
Haku~Yes, sir.
Zabuza~How old are you?
Haku~I’m nine. I’ll be ten in January.
Zabuza~How did you kill those people?
Haku~I can move water, but I don’t understand my powers yet.
Zabuza~That can be understood and developed through training.
He paused to listen. Ann was finished with her bath.
Zabuza~Grab your new clothes. Your turn to bathe. Take your time to properly clean.
He went to the bathroom door while Haku went to his bag. Zabuza knocked on the door.
Zabuza~Done? Do you need help?
Ann~My arm is stuck.
He entered the bathroom to find her elbow stuck in the sleeve and hand poking out the neckhole.
Zabuza~Brat, how did you do that?
Ann~I dunno…
She pouted as Zabuza pulled her shirt off over her head. He handed it back to her to try again.
Zabuza~Hurry up. The boy still needs to bathe too.
Ann~Does he have a name?
Zabuza~It’s Haku.
They went out and Zabuza directed Haku to go in.

Once Haku was cleaned up, Zabuza left the two to meet Mei outside and get dinner. Ann was on the backrest of the sofa while Haku sat in a chair.
Ann~Zabuza said your name is Haku.
Haku~It is.
Ann~He said you had to be useful. What did he want you to do?
Haku~He wanted me to help keep you safe.
Ann~Did he tell you how or why?
Haku~No. Not yet.
Ann~So will you just follow me around? Even in the bathroom?
Haku~I don't think I need to do that. You can just tell me if you need it.
Ann~I guess that's true. Did he say you're going to train with us?
Haku~It sounds so. Is training hard?
Ann~Sometimes. Depends on the lesson. Did he say how long he'll be?
Haku shook his head.
Haku~No, he didn't. Are you worried?
Ann~No…hungry…
She slid down to the cushion and sat upside down
Haku~What are you doing?
Ann~Trying not to be bored. I don't want to review anything if I don't have to…
She pouted and Haku couldn't help but smile. They were both children, but he knew she was a few years younger than him, even when she sometimes gives off sassy-teen vibes. Maybe he could help her pass the time by making her review.
Haku~What would you be reviewing if you had to?
Ann~Usually anatomy and physiology
Haku~Can you tell me about it?
Ann sighed and started talking. Haku didn't have to do much more because she started to complain and continued on tangents. By the time Zabuza and Mei were back, Ann had just started talking about ice cream.
Ann~Zabi!
She got to her feet and tried running, but since she was upside down the whole rant she fell forward. Haku was quick to catch her, but they still fell down together. Zabuza sighed through it all, but noted Haku's speed for later.
Mei~You picked up a charge?
That was probably her best bet to not sound insulting to either Zabuza or the new child. She didn't want Ann to pick up on bad manners.
Zabuza~He has potential. Brat, what were you doing?
Ann~Nothing! But my head hurts now…
Zabuza~Haku? What were you guys doing?
Haku~Sitting. Ann was reviewing while she sat upside down.
Zabuza~How long?
Haku~I'm…not sure…
Ann~Does that matter?
Zabuza~Extended periods can cause problems if you don't die first.
Ann~Oh. How long is too long?
Mei gave him a look. Zabuza rolled his eyes.
Zabuza~If it's less than an hour you'll be fine. Get up you two. We head out early in the morning.

After they ate and Haku mimicked Ann's bedtime routine, Zabuza tucked them in one of the beds. He separated them by rolling an extra blanket and placing it between them.
Mei~You adopted an orphan? Are you already trying to replace her?
Zabuza~No. He's a potential weapon.
Mei~I thought you'd be past that with having Ann in your care.
Zabuza~He has a kekkei genkai of sorts that allows water manipulation. I haven't seen it yet. He's killed people before. He can help protect her.
Mei~What if he doesn’t meet your expectations? And what about after she’s gone to the Leaf? Is he just going to be a surrogate even if he's just another mouth for you to feed?
Zabuza~She wanted to help him. I took him in because I saw potential. If he can't be useful to me by the time Ann goes to the Leaf, I'll deal with it then. Stop comparing them to each other. They're not the same. Even if Ann started as an obligation, she isn't. And neither is the boy.
Mei~I hope you know what you're doing.
Zabuza~We should sleep.
He wasn't entirely sure what he'd do with the boy after. But for now, he'll have an extra set of hands and eyes to help with Ann.