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Ann, Zabuza, and Haku made their escape. They grabbed their go-bags from the docks, and got onto a merchant ship towards the mainland. Zabuza helped the kids clean up and change into their regular clothes. With everything calming down, the two fell asleep, huddled together, while Zabuza was left to his thoughts as he changed out of his muddy clothes.
He should have listened to his instincts. That empty hallway should have been enough to realize something was wrong. But he got cocky, and let arrogance take over. Yagura saw Ann, and since she took down three of his guards by herself, he knew the skills she possesses now too. Zabuza had done the hard part in training her and laid out the ground work already.
Taking out those Maws was that last step to turn her into a weapon through trauma…
He hoped that it wasn’t enough. He hadn’t given either of them room to stop being a tool yet. Haku wasn’t able to keep Ann from returning to his side, so he might feel inadequate because of it. And who knows what was going on in Ann’s head. She hadn’t clinged to him yet still.

The kids slept until they docked the next day. They moved on from the docks and into town to get an inn. He wanted to keep moving, but for their sake they needed an actual bed and a moment to emotionally reset before trauma completely takes over if it didn’t already.
Zabuza~Haku, go bathe first.
Haku~Yes, Zabuza.
They set their things down and Haku went to the bathroom first. Zabuza took Ann by the hand and sat her down at a nearby chair.
Zabuza~Ann? Talk to me.
She slowly blinked and looked up. He saw her eyes well up with tears, but empty. His hand cupped her cheek, unable to hide his worry anymore.
Zabuza~Say something…anything…
Ann~I killed them…I killed them…
Zabuza~You saved me though…
Ann~I killed them…
Zabuza~Come here…
He gently pulled her arm, but she made no attempt to move. His jaw clenched. She was dissociating and running on auto-pilot. And it was his fault. Ane was definitely going to kill him for this if he didn’t fix it soon.
Zabuza~Once…once Haku's done, you need to go bathe, too…
He patted her head, studying her face for some sort of reaction. But he got nothing, not even a response outside of her continued mumbling.
Haku soon exited the bathroom and Ann quietly shuffled in next. Zabuza sighed heavily.
Zabuza~How are you holding up?
Haku~I don't know…Tired, really. Zabuza?
Zabuza~Is it about Ann?
Haku~Yeah…She hasn't been the same. It's…It's like when I killed my father…I blacked out, and I found myself on the streets when I awoke…
Zabuza~Fortunately she isn't alone. Keep an eye on her, and let me know if she does something out of the ordinary. Don't beat yourself up that she escaped you, Haku. She's…she's unique.
Haku~Y-you should check on her. It sounds like she's frozen.
Zabuza~There's some rations in my bag if you're hungry. We'll get something proper to eat soon.
Zabuza entered the bathroom and found Ann slumped to the side in the tub, her back towards the door. His breath caught in his throat, his thoughts running to the worst scenario.
Zabuza~Ann? Please, speak to me.
He saw her shift, and that was enough for him to release his breath then move to sit beside the tub. Zabuza tucked her hair behind her ear and she turned just enough to look at him.
Her eyes still looked blank, as it looked like she was looking through him, but the rest of her face looked distressed. Like something holding back her emotions was starting to break.
It was a promising look to him because that silence felt suffocating and hearing her repeat that line earlier was a stab in his heart.
Zabuza~Do you want help with your bath?
He almost missed her hand signing yes under the water. She barely moved and the water hid her movement.
Zabuza~Okay. I'm right here. You don’t need to be a weapon anymore. You're my kid…
She didn’t do much else aside from blink and look forward again. Zabuza quietly sighed and started to wash her, starting with her hair. Then when he scrubbed her arms, he noticed her hands were bright red, and the back of her hands scratched up from a combination of her nails and the washcloth. He swallowed hard and squeezed her hand.
Zabuza~You're not tainted for doing what you did. You wanted to protect me. I never wanted you to have to do that, because I'm supposed to protect you. Not the other way around.
He saw her eyes move towards him before turning back forward again. He sighed once more, worried at how long this could last. She was even more distant than when she was grieving for her parents’ deaths.

After her bath, Zabuza wrapped her with a towel and walked her out.
Zabuza~Haku, help her dress. Have her drink some water. We’ll go get something to eat after I wash up.
Haku~Yes, Zabuza.
Zabuza retreated back into the bathroom. Haku led Ann to the bed then went to her bag to grab some clothes. Ann dressed herself when he tried to hold her clothes open for her, then sat on the bed, picking at one of her hands.
Haku~Y-you’ll make those worse if you continue.
She switched the hand she was picking. Haku gently separated her hands, and she kept them like that.
Haku~Can you speak, Ann? You haven’t said anything since yesterday…
Ann~I killed them…
Haku~You don’t need to keep thinking about that. You saved Zabuza.
Ann~I killed them…
She slowly closed her eyes and then her face scrunched up as she closed it tighter.
Haku~Ann…
He kissed her head and went to Zabuza’s bag for a water bottle. Haku offered the bottle after opening it for her.
Haku~You need to drink.
She slowly shook her head and just as slowly pushed the bottle away.
Haku~You’ve hardly eaten too…Please, just drink some water. Zabuza wants you to.
Haku wiped eyes and capped the bottle, setting it down. He sat on the bed with her and wrapped his arms around her.

A few minutes later Zabuza stepped out to find the two in the same spot. He slowly got dressed, trying to decide how to care for both of them. They were all on the edge of collapse, but he couldn’t crumble when they both needed him. He failed them.
Zabuza~We should go get something to eat soon…
He sat on the bed behind them. Zabuza pulled Haku to his lap first, then Ann. It was reassuring to him to feel Haku cling to him, but Ann’s lack of movement hurt him. She was still, not even putting pressure against his chest.
Zabuza~Take your time. I'm here for you. Both of you.
He felt Haku nod into his chest, and still nothing from Ann. Zabuza ran his fingers through her hair, hoping for her to do anything.
Ann hiccupped, and pressed into him. She grabbed onto his shirt and Haku's, then started to cry. It started with choked sobs, and then quickly grew into wailing.
Even Haku started to cry.
And Zabuza held them both, a wave of relief washing over him. She was still there. And so was Haku. He'd finally have two less things to worry about for the night. Two things– Two people to make sure they survived the night and are fit for the upcoming travels.

Over the next few days they continued to travel west, deeper into Fire country. Ann and Haku were doing better since that first day after the coup, but Ann was still mostly unresponsive. She'll nod or shake her head no, and the few words she's said haven't been about the Maws. So Zabuza was going to take what he could get.
They eventually got to their new home, a sizable safehouse that was located some ways from the ocean and walking distance to a small hamlet to the north. The safehouse had basic amenities and even had two bedrooms.
Ann~This is our new home?
Zabuza~Yeah. You can play outside now too. Just don't stray far.
They set their things down by the door and the kids walked in to look around. Zabuza was surprised she even asked something.
Zabuza~There's two bedrooms. You two are sharing the smaller room, but that doesn't mean you're not allowed in mine. If the door is locked is the only time I'm unavailable, but I'll let you know if I need that time.
Haku~That's a lot of change. Are you okay?
Zabuza~I'm fine. The change is because of where we are now. I don't have that b*****d down my back anymore. We're safe here. And I can set up a perimeter. I think you guys will like helping me set those up.
Ann~Why?
Zabuza~It's like a puzzle and predicting the likely spot most people will take if they notice something. You can also hide traps within traps.
Ann nodded and looked in the fridge.
Zabuza~There's nothing stocked yet. There's some rations in the cabinets though.
Haku~How long have you had this place set up?
He pulled the lever and water ran from the faucet before turning it off.
Zabuza~A while. There's several others along the way that we passed, but I made this one specifically ready for us in case things had gone south. It has the best route to the Leaf.
Ann~You still can't come? Will they take me?
He scoffed.
Zabuza~No, I can't go. Not after what I did. Or I guess tried to do.
He came over and ruffled her hair.
Zabuza~You'll be fine. You're already enrolled and have everything set up. There shouldn't be much you have to do other than get the scroll to the Hokage.
Haku~She'd only need a scroll?
Zabuza~Yeah. That's all she needs. Ane did everything as far as paperwork went. I just need to get Ann there.
Ann~I'll be alone though…
Zabuza~I'll get you a keepsake. Don't worry.
Ann~What's that?
Zabuza~An item to remember someone.
Ann~Oh…Zabi?
Zabuza~Yeah? I didn't realize it's been a while since she used that…I can’t believe I missed it for that matter…
Ann~Is…is there anything from my parents?
He quietly sighed, getting annoyed that he still couldn't tell her anything. She'll be in the dark about her heritage for years until it manifests, if it does at all.
Zabuza~There is. I have it, one from each of them. You’re not allowed to keep it yet.
Ann~Oh…When?
Zabuza~Hard to say. You'll know when.
Ann~But…what if…you're not here?
Zabuza~There's a plan B. They'll take care of it if I can't.
Haku~Who's they?
Zabuza~Can't share yet.
Ann~Why am I a secret?
Zabuza~I can't tell you. I promised that you can't know until the time is right. Until then, you have to be in the dark.
Ann huffed and hit him. Zabuza chuckled and ruffled her hair, relieved to see some of her bratty sass coming back.