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Over the next few days, Zabuza became increasingly strict with giving Ann and Haku directions. He didn't command them, but he didn’t give them room to argue back either. Even Ann's usual sass and bratty attitude was subdued, leaving their nighttime routine as the only reprieve from the pressure of demand and allowed her to cling to him.
Meanwhile Haku took to the instructions without complaint and provided Ann the emotional support Zabuza was withholding during the day. The man didn't tell him to stop coddling her, but Haku noticed he wanted to say something about it.
Throughout all that, Zabuza was also packing bags, one for each of them. Aside from clothes, he packed weapons, rations, water, and their few sentimental belongings that could still fit. One at a time each day that passed, he stowed it away at the west docks. There was a crate that was hidden from view where he could safely store their bags in until after the coup, whether it resulted in failure or success.

To his aggravation, but not to his surprise, Ann and Haku had to be a part of the rebellion. Just like at the Pearl's Grace, Ann was dressed in all black, and so was Haku. This time though, he had a full face mask for them to wear which only exposed their eyes.
Zabuza~Before I tell you what's happening tonight, this is your only chance to tell me any doubts or concerns you might have. Once we go out the door, you are not my children. You will be my tools.
Ann picked at her mask, trying to adjust it around her eyes.
Ann~Are we still protected?
Zabuza~Yes. I'll do what I need to do to keep your safety first while I do my mission. I also trust you will have the self-preservation to run if I go down. The west dock contingency is the primary failsafe.
He gently swatted her hands away and then ran his finger around the hole to clear whatever was bugging her. She patted the edges and stopped fussing with it.
Haku~Ann isn't supposed to exist. Will she have a different name? Will I?
Zabuza~Only Ann. I thought about your name too, Haku, but it's common enough.
Ann~Will it only be for the mission?
Zabuza~Yes. You'll be Akane.
Ann~That's not creative…
Zabuza~Exactly the point. You don’t exist outside of us, so attention to your identity is unnecessary. Do you have all your weapons?
They both nodded.
Ann~Will I use the sword?
Zabuza~No, but it's not gonna be left here either. I'm dual wielding both swords. I need you to have as much strength as possible, and the sword still tires you out too quickly to be effective.
Ann~Oh. Okay. Will we be okay?...
Zabuza~Whatever happens I'll make sure you and Haku make it out first. I'll follow when I can. Follow the failsafe.
Ann bit her lip and nodded.
Zabuza~If there's nothing else, this is what we're doing. You two are going to stay close to me, Ann on my right and Haku on my left. Pay attention to my hands for the silent commands we've practiced. You move when I move unless I say otherwise. If we're in a fight, stay on the defensive and support me. Manage your chakra if you use jutsus. If I'm getting overwhelmed, you two run. If I tell you to run, you run. My command will have no room for arguments.
Haku~What if we see something you don't?
Zabuza~Say it when you see it because it could be important. I'll still listen. I won't outright ignore you. At the very least I'll acknowledge it even if I don't react to it.
Ann~And the mission? What's going on that he'd tell us commands like that?
He explained what they were going to do, expectations, who was going to be there, and contingencies. He didn't let them ask questions this time, as the plans will be reviewed again at the safehouse.

They traveled quickly and quietly through the shadows to get to the safehouse. The same people were there, minus Mei, and a few additional faces that weren't there from the last meeting.
Gozu~You do have brats. How old are they?
Zabuza~Old enough. On my right is Akane, on my left is Haku.
Meizu~And you trust them at your side?
Zabuza~Akane, floor him.
Before Meizu could check Ann's position, he was pinned to the ground. Ann was stepping on his gauntleted arm and pressed his face into the wood floor.
The rebels stared, wondering what they might be capable of on a lethal level.
Zabuza~Are you going to keep questioning me?
Meizu~No! The kids are skilled!
Zabuza~Good. Return.
Ann stepped off the twin and returned at Zabuza's side as he stood back up.
Meizu~How does it have so much chakra?
Ann huffed at being called “it.” Akane is obviously a girl's name. It was also fun taking down someone other than Haku or Zabuza.
Zabuza~Not relevant. Let's go over the plans once more before we get the signal. You stick to your jobs, and we take the b*****d out.

The signal came shortly after. They moved out and stuck to the shadows as planned to get to the administration building. This was supposed to be when the Maws did their guard change. The plan was to incapacitate the guard as they changed. It meant more people to deal with, but the benefit was less people around Yagura.
But the Maws that guarded the hallway and the doors weren't there. They should have turned back. But Zabuza was emboldened to press on because Ann and Haku were at his side. And to a lesser degree the demon brothers.
They went inside, the twins going first, then Zabuza, and finally the kids. On the edge of the Kage desk, Yagura sat, one foot up while the other was casually kicking the air. There were six Maws standing in line behind the desk.
Yagura~Zabuza. Doesn't surprise me that you'd be leading this. Of course a Momochi had to be the one to overthrow me. Your sister did it once.
Zabuza~Is that why you killed her? Petty revenge even though you got your seat back after a ******** hour?
Yagura~No. I wanted something else. Something you conveniently brought.
His gaze shifted to Zabuza's right, and he smiled at Ann, before turning back to Zabuza.
Ann felt a chill run down her spine. The man on the desk was on a different level from that Abyssal on her first mission with Zabuza. This man knew who she was, and he wanted her for something.
Zabuza growled~Fall back!
He threw several smoke bombs that quickly filled the room. Zabuza kept his eyes on Yagura until Meizu and Gozu passed him then he ran out too, quickly catching up
Zabuza~Out the window.
Meizu and Gozu jumped out the window first.
Ann~Zabuza–
Zabuza~Go.
Ann and Haku jumped out, followed by Zabuza. He grabbed them midair and helped them land before running again, heading west.

Haku~What happened?
Zabuza~Someone leaked information. If I ever get my hands on them…
Ann~Is he the danger?
Zabuza~Yes. That leak ruined the best chances of ridding him.
He turned when he heard a gushing sound, a tunnel of water was coming towards them, and would slam them into a building if he didn't move.
Zabuza grabbed Ann and Haku and flanked to the left as a vortex barreled through where they had just been.
Zabuza~Keep running. I'll hold them off and then catch up.
Ann~But–
Zabuza~No arguments. Go
Haku was already pulling her away as Zabuza turned back around to fight the four Maws that arrived.
Ann~No, we can't leave him
Haku~He gave us a command. We can’t ignore it. You’re too important
Ann struggled against him, watching Zabuza fight a losing battle.

Zabuza was wielding both swords and fighting off the Maws well enough, but because of that he lacked the use of jutsus, and it'd take too long to free his hands for one anyway.
Maw 1~You won't last long, Demon.
Maw 2~Then the brat will be one of us. You already put in the foundation.
Zabuza~Over my dead body.
He swung at them while blocking behind with the other hand
Maw 3~That's what we're trying to do.
Zabuza~Go to hell, dog ********.
The fourth Maw didn't say anything but instead used a jutsu to saturate the ground with water, turning it into mud and causing Zabuza to slip.
He couldn't get up and saw two of Maws come closer with a katana drawn, ready to stab him, but two small figures came and stabbed them in the neck. Zabuza recognized them as Ann and a water clone.
He didn't have a moment to process the guilt in his stomach when he felt arms trying to lift him
Haku~She was too strong.
Zabuza~Brat, fall back!
As he sat up, he watched Ann spin Kubikiribocho with both hands from the hole in the blade to slice through the legs of the next Maws. He got up and pulled the sword from her hands when the handle rotated close to him.
Zabuza~Fall back!
She looked up with a blank stare full of rage, almost no recognition when she pulled back to attack him, but she stopped and turned to the last Maw instead.
Zabuza tugged at her.
Zabuza~Ann. Let's go.
She still didn't move, but neither did the Maw, too stunned that a child killed three of them by herself.
Zabuza gave her smack and she finally turned away, head low. He faced the Maw.
Zabuza~If you follow us, you'll end up like the last one and slowly bleed out. Let's go.
Ann and Haku ran off first. Zabuza grabbed the other sword and followed after them.