Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

The end of the year was quickly approaching. Zabuza had been getting tense, and more agitated at little things. Ann noticed, but didn't know why so it was difficult for her to not get on his nerves. Meanwhile, Haku was stuck in the middle again trying to mediate the two because he knew Zabuza was planning the coup, but Ann couldn't know.

Even their training had stepped up in difficulty. Haku could control his chakra now, not yet to the degree Ann has, but enough to be formidable. That control and Zabuza's patient exposure therapy through training allowed Haku to discover some practical uses of ice release powers, like turning them into needles and a few ice mirrors only he could pass through. After watching Haku step in and out of one for the first time, Ann tried to do it too but ended up walking into it instead.
Zabuza even got Haku a set of senbon needles to further develop his proficiency as the boy constantly made those out of ice over other tools like shuriken.

Ann's physical strength and chakra control had increased as well as Zabuza continued her sword training. She was able to carry the sword around easily, even to and from their training grounds. However, using the sword for combat was still taxing for her, but she was about to swing it once or twice before she was unable to pick it up for a while.

This particular night in early December, Ann was put to bed early. She was already fast asleep when Zabuza was getting dressed and Haku was getting ready for bed.
Haku~It's late, Zabuza. Where are you going?
Zabuza~Out. You and Ann will be fine. I'll be back in a few hours, well before dawn.
Haku~What are you doing?
Zabuza~Taking care of business. You know the drill in case something does happen. You two will be fine.
He patted Haku's head and then cupped his cheek.
Zabuza~Off to bed. I trust you and Ann can handle yourselves. I'll only be gone for a few hours.
Haku hesitated for a moment then stepped forward to hug the man. Zabuza patted his back then gently pushed him to the bedroom.
Zabuza~Good night.
Haku~Good night, Zabuza…

Zabuza arrived at the hidden safehouse at the edge of the village. Inside Mei, Meizu, Gozu, and two others are already waiting at the desk in the middle of the room.
Mei~You’re late.
Zabuza~Shut it. Do we have any new information we need to address first?
Mei gestured at the twins
Gozu~Our informant gave us the Maws’ guard change. It's good until the new year, but the sooner the better of course.
Zabuza~Any patrol route changes?
Meizu~Nothing yet. Allegedly there will be one within a fortnight.
Mei~Ugh, and nothing concrete until it happens. Bullshit.
Zabuza~Let's plan as it is now. Once we get the route change we'll adjust as needed.
They outlined the attack and various contingencies for each checkpoint. Then they discussed how to infiltrate the building.
Mei~With the layout you'd need one, maybe even two, people at your side. You're strong Zabuza, but you're not Ane.
Zabuza~I know…There’s always the half-pints…
Mei~You can't.
Zabuza~They’re the only ones who could fight along my side given the conditions…
Gozu~Who are these half-pints?
Zabuza~Wild cards for now. They're in my control.
Mei~They’re too young.
Zabuza~So were we at the academy graduation. And here we are. Out to kill a jinchuriki at that. The brats just need to cover my blind spots.
Meizu~Brats? You have children? And you'd rather use them over shinobi rebels?
Zabuza~Again, they're in my control. They can follow my commands without question and could probably decide alternatives faster than half the jounin I know. Not to mention the two have been successfully ambushing me during training…
He scoffed. Maybe a little insult will make the twins train harder
Zabuza~And in a one to one with you, you'd certainly die. Two on two and it's guaranteed.
The twins clenched their fists. Even Mei gave him a side glance.
Gozu~You've had them for how long?
Zabuza~Off topic. Back to the admin building. So far we know Maws are stationed here.

They planned for another hour. Then they left, one by one, until Mei and Zabuza remained.
Mei~You can't seriously be considering taking them. Aside from them being too young, you also said she wasn't going to kill anyone. And they'll both be in harm's way!
Zabuza~I know…there's a safehouse on the edge of Fire country near Waves that I'd like to take them to, but I can't leave them or be gone from the village for that long.
He sighed and rubbed his temples.
Zabuza~I can't leave them at my place either when we make our move. As soon as Yagura figures out he's being attacked I'm afraid he'll send someone to go after her. If they're near me I can control the situation better…I'm open to any suggestion you have.
Mei~You know I can't be involved when the strike happens so I can keep deniability in case things go sideways. I could safely house them until after the attack.
Zabuza~Then how do I retrieve them if it does go sideways? I'll end up leading them to you and ruin your cover.
He quietly sighed again. He really believed having the two at his side would allow the most maneuverability if things did go wrong.
Mei~I can deliver them to the edge of Fire country like your main contingency outlines. West pier, I get the two on a merchant ship to the mainland. You can meet them there.
Zabuza~Maybe…but they could start increasing sweeps too…
Mei~There's time. We'll keep working it out. For now, go home. Get some rest and keep preparing.
Zabuza~Yeah. Keep hidden, Mei
Mei~You too, Zabi.
He flipped her off with a smirk as he left.

Zabuza's trip home was quick. He didn't want to linger outside in the middle of the night where an Abyssal or a Maw could question him being out. There was a curfew for the civilians, but just because he was part of the Seven Swordsmen didn't mean he was excused from questioning.
Stepping in, he saw Haku on the sofa. He quickly closed the door and gripped his sword.
Zabuza~Why are you awake? Is there something wrong?
Haku~N-no. She's still fast asleep. I just…I couldn't sleep…
Zabuza quietly sighed in relief, lucky to have him. The boy was vigilant without his coaching for it.
Zabuza~You’ve stayed up long enough. Let's get to bed.

The next morning, their normal breakfast routine ran the same, but the air was tense. Zabuza noticed Ann sitting further than where she normally sat. He tried to be gentle.
Zabuza~What's wrong?
Ann~Um…I…I don't know…
Zabuza~Try. I'm home today.
Ann~It's…lately…it doesn't seem like…like you're here…and we fight a lot…and not our usual fights…Did-did I do something wrong?
She sniffed but tried not to cry. Zabuza quietly sighed. He had been distant with the planning. And their training session last week was more intense than usual as he was drilling them to be able to target any of the eight vital spots.
Zabuza~No, Ann. It isn't you. I've been…I've been busy. Come here.
She hesitated to move. Zabuza reached over and pulled her into his lap.
Zabuza~You're not a problem to me, Ann. You're my reason that I'm busy. It's a good thing.
Ann~Is it b-because of that thing? The reason we're in danger?
Zabuza~Yeah. It's getting taken care of. It's going to happen soon.
Haku~What will happen?
Zabuza~Hopefully what we planned. For now, I can't tell either of you what the plans are. I'm still trying to figure out how to keep you two from being involved.
Ann~Is that why we trained against your clones like that? Didn't it hurt?
She hugged him tight.
Zabuza~No. I don’t notice the feedback the way you do still. That's why I could do it so many times.
Ann knew he was using the phantom feedback from the water clones to adjust their aim to pinpoint the most lethal spot for each vital point on the body. That way, even if they couldn't use chakra, they could still cause a fatality if it came to it.
Being drilled to attack him that way, even though they were water clones, didn’t feel right. The motion of attacking any of those eight points made her feel numb and uncaring, and the thought of actually doing that to someone terrified her.