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They trained into the next day before finally going back home to the safehouse. Zabuza made sure they dusted off as much sand as they could before going inside to take a bath and have dinner.
The following day after breakfast, Zabuza was geared up with his sword.
Zabuza~I'll be gone a few hours. There's still leftovers from yesterday, so you only need to make rice for lunch.
Ann~Are you going to see the idiots that you let me spar?
Haku~Ann, you shouldn't call people that.
Zabuza~Those two ARE idiots. They're only a year younger than me, and honestly, I don't know how they survive outside of being a shinobi.
He grabbed his sword and attached it to his back.
Zabuza~You two are fine to be outside. Stay within the perimeter and stay inside when it gets dark. I shouldn't be long, but I'll be home with dinner if I'm out late.
Haku~Stay safe, Zabuza.
Ann~Will you bring back a melon?
She hugged him.
Zabuza~Yeah, brats. I’ll see you both later.
He ruffled her hair and patted Haku’s head as he made his way out. Ann huffed as she straightened her hair out.
Ann~Now what?
Haku~You still need to finish eating, Ann. Come sit back down.
Ann pouted but came back anyway.

After an hour or so of traveling, Zabuza came to the safehouse he instructed the Demon Brothers to arrive at originally. It was empty except for a table and four chairs. This safehouse wasn't designed to be lived in, but rather as a neutral meeting place for nearby cells to meet at without compromising any of their locations. Zabuza waited in silence, listing Ann and Haku's next training milestones until the twins came an hour later.
Gozu~You’re by yourself?
Zabuza~Yeah. Did you find any others?
Meizu~Some, but none willing to move again so soon. Where are your brats?
Zabuza's eyes narrowed
Zabuza~What brats?
Gozu smacked his brother.
Gozu~He doesn't know what he's saying. How soon did you plan on moving again?
Zabuza~Not for a few months at least. Some time in the spring. That way I know Ann is safe in the Leaf and then I can throw everything into punching Yagura's face in.
Meizu~Why so long?
Zabuza~Because I said so. If you come across them again, tell them. I'll get a date for the first meeting once spring is here.
Gozu~How if we need you?
Zabuza~For what reason will you need me if you're trying to lay low for a few months?
Meizu~Maybe we need you because we got caught.
Zabuza~Then either escape or die. If you guys can't handle laying low, then you're welcome to try begging for your life at Yagura's feet. Just know I'll cut you down before you leave here.
Gozu hit him again and grabbed his head to force his twin to bow with him
Gozu~Forgive us. That isn't what he meant, sir. We can lay low. If any new information comes to us, we might need a way to contact you as it could be important.
Meizu didn't resist, or say anything. He might do even worse.
Zabuza~There's a hamlet relatively northeast from here. It has several spots we can use as drop points for updates.
The twins stood up straight again.
Gozu~How if it cannot wait?
Zabuza~Then it better be something good if you need to see me directly.
Gozu~Yes, sir
Zabuza~Is there anything else?
Meizu~Can we get a rematch?
Zabuza scoffed, but chuckled anyway.
Zabuza~I'll think about it. Meet back here in another three days. I'll inform you of the drop locations. And if you come see me before then, it better be good information, or I'll take you down myself
Twins~Yes, sir.
They bowed their heads as Zabuza left.

Zabuza made his way to the hamlet. He looked around for possible drop locations as he made his way to the market, noting the best ones to stake out later.
He got a melon for Ann, lychee for Haku even though he didn't ask, and a few other fruits and vegetables while he was there, then went to pick up some takeout. It was still fairly early, but the two found comfort in eating, and he wasn't going to limit their intake of calories just because he didn't want food to go to waste. They usually finished their leftovers later without him telling them anyway.
When he got back home, he found them in the living room space where Haku was braiding Ann's hair. He noticed that Ann would ask Haku to do her hair in some way so her bow clips could be used differently than holding her bangs out of the way.
Ann~Zabi!
Haku~Welcome home
Zabuza~Have you guys eaten?
Haku~A while ago.
Zabuza~Are you guys still hungry?
He raised his hand to show the takeout trays
Ann's eyes widened and she was about to get up until Haku gently pulled her hair to keep her still.
Haku~I'm not yet finished.
Zabuza chuckled at her pouting and went to the kitchen to set everything down. He felt almost at peace but, then remembered that Ann would be leaving in just three months. Zabuza didn’t want to admit it, but the domesticity of their home life was relaxing, and even though he didn't like the stillness of not going on missions or training, he wouldn't mind the civilian life if it came to it. He just wasn't ready to give up the title of Demon of the Hidden Mist quite yet.

Over the next few days, Zabuza spent a significant amount of time quietly observing the possible drop points he had noted when he last saw the Demon Brothers. He wanted to make sure that the spots he chose were isolated enough that no one would snoop around and accessible enough that they could just walk through to slip the notes in and out of their hiding spots.
Ann and Haku in the meantime spent the day play-fighting, doing chores, or reviewing bookwork. They didn't question what Zabuza needed to do, as they were used to his need to know deal unless they were directly involved.
Ann~Do you think Zabuza's doing something related to that mission we went on?
Haku~It's possible. The new year is soon too. Do you do anything to celebrate? It doesn't seem that they celebrate Christmas. It's in a few days and Ann doesn't seem to be excited about it.
Ann~I don’t know. I don't remember what we did last year. What did you do?
Haku~We would eat oranges and mochi ice cream at midnight while we watched fireworks.
Ann~What are fireworks?
Haku~They’re like explosions in the sky and comes in different colors
Ann~That sounds pretty. Do you think we'll see any?
Haku~I'm not sure. We might be too remote to see any of that.
Ann~Remote?
Haku~Like, by ourselves. The hamlet Zabuza mentioned might be too small to have fireworks.

Later in the evening, Zabuza came home with more takeout and a few small treats. Ann ran and hugged him.
Ann~Zabi!
Zabuza~Yeah, brat? Did the two of you eat yet?
Ann~No. What'd you bring?
She tried to peek inside, but he gently pushed her away.
Zabuza~Quit pawing and go to the table. I got you two a treat because I’ve been busy.
Ann~What’s the treat?!
Haku~Let’s go sit first, Ann. You know Zabuza won’t tell you right away.
Ann pouted and followed them to the table anyway. She bounced in her seat as Zabuza popped open the trays to check which was for who then handed them over. Ann thanked him then dug into the tempura.
Haku~Ann, s-slow down.
Zabuza nudged Haku with a glass of water. The boy placed it in front of Ann, and sure enough, Ann started coughing and took the glass.
Zabuza~Stupid little demon. Don’t scarf down your food if you don’t want it to go down the wrong pipe.
Ann~D-don’t– *cough* Don’t call me stupid!
She coughed again and she drank a bit more water. Zabuza rolled his eyes and took a bite from his short ribs. Haku quietly sighed and ate his teriyaki salmon.

After dinner, Ann was digging into the other bag Zabuza had brought.
Zabuza~Can’t you wait just a bit longer?
Ann~But I wanna knooooow
He flicked her forehead and took the bag
Zabuza~Back to the table, brat. There’s other stuff here I don’t want you to eat right now.
Ann huffed and went back to the table. Haku quietly shook his head at her antics.
Ann~Will you tell us?
Zabuza~It’s a pretzel dip snack.
Haku~If it’s a snack, then why did you call it a treat?
Zabuza came back and handed each of them a sealed cup.
Zabuza~Because it’s sweet and chocolate.
Ann~Chocolate?!
She grabbed the cup
Zabuza~If you can’t control yourself, I’m throwing it out.
Ann~Noooo…
She sat back down and slowly peeled the lid to not make a mess. Ann didn’t want to fight him off to be able to eat it.
Zabuza~That’s better. After the cupcakes from your birthday, I don’t want to get bitten again, you little demon.
Ann~I couldn’t help it! Biting just felt right…

The next day, Zabuza took the two with him to the hamlet. While staking out the drop points, he found a bathhouse and thought that he should let them have a chance to go out and socialize. He also wanted to take them to the market to teach them how to pick out produce and meats. Ann needed to know how to select them to live by herself, anyway. He’d need to make her focus on cooking as well.
Ann~You said we're going to a bathhouse. Is it a fun place?
Zabuza~You're not going to run around and splash me if that's what you're plotting.
Ann~I wasn't. But if you put it that way…
She had a mischievous grin that he smacked her for.
Haku~You're supposed to bathe and then soak in the water. It'll be nice because the water will stay hot.
Ann~But that's not fun…
Zabuza~Deal with sitting still, brat. If we're alone in the baths I'll let you practice the mist jutsu. You still need to work on density control.
Ann~Oh. That'll be fun!
He quietly rolled his eyes as they continued through the streets.
They eventually got to the bathhouse and headed to the back after signing in. Then they got undressed in the locker room area
Ann~We just leave our clothes here?
Zabuza~Yeah. Just like at home, we'll wash up first and then we can soak in the water.
Zabuza listened for anything out of the ordinary while he straightened out their clothes. He heard several other people in the baths, but no one near them
Zabuza~Go on to the shower area. I'll be there in a minute.
Haku~Come on, Ann. I'll help with your hair.
He took Ann by the hand and led her out. Zabuza undressed, sorted his clothes, and followed the kids.
Haku was already lathering Ann's hair, so Zabuza started to wash himself.
Ann~Zabi?
Zabuza~Yeah, brat?
Ann~Will you wash me too?
Zabuza~Sure. Do my back too.
Ann~That's it? No other catch?
Zabuza~I already told you to behave and you agreed.
Ann~Why don’t you make Haku do it? He can reach better.
Zabuza~First of all, I'm sitting. You can reach just fine. Secondly, Haku's already doing your hair. You haven’t done anything yet.
She pouted.
Ann~Ooooh…okaaaay…
Haku rinsed out her hair. Zabuza handed Ann the washcloth when she got up and scrubbed his back.
Zabuza~Put more pressure if you can. Just be careful you don't slip.
Ann~More? I'm already pressing down hard!
Haku~You must have a lot of knots, Zabuza.
Ann~Zabi's hair isn't long enough to get knots.
Zabuza~He's talking about my muscles having knots. That doesn't surprise me, Haku. People carry stress in their shoulders. Maybe I can teach them pressure points and such. There's no way I could sit through a massage even if I didn't have either of them with me.
Ann~Is that why my shoulders hurt?
Zabuza~Why didn't you tell me? What about you, Haku?
Ann~I dunno. It wasn't like chakra exhaustion?
Zabuza sighed at her response
Haku~Sometimes. Is it supposed to hurt all the time for it to be bad?
Zabuza~I'll explain it when we get home…
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He genuinely didn't expect Haku to pull off what Ann normally does.
Ann~Did I reach everything, Zabi?
Zabuza~Hm? Yeah, it feels like it. Come here.
Ann moved in front of him, and he took the cloth back to scrub her down. He also made sure to scrub behind her ears and neck as she normally skipped over those spots when she bathed by herself.
Zabuza~There, done. Go rinse. You can wait for us here or go in the water. Just stay where I can see you.
Ann~I'll wait.
She rinsed off then played with the bucket of water, flicking the surface. She was careful not to splash her uncle so he wouldn't tell her to stop. Zabuza rolled his eyes, knowing what she was up to.
******** brat, always pushing the line…Haku, your turn. I'll just wash your back.
Haku~Yes, Zabuza. Thank you.
He sat in front of Zabuza and held his hair out of the way. Since they took him in a few months ago, he had become more comfortable around Zabuza in the domestic setting to where they could bathe together like this now, whereas before, Zabuza would respectfully leave him space to wash alone. It was a nice comfort that he could share with them now.
Zabuza~Your hair is starting to get long, Haku. Would you like to cut it?
Haku~I think I like it long. May I grow it out?
Zabuza~So long as it doesn't get in your way, it doesn't matter to me.
Ann~Can I cut mine?
Zabuza took a moment to imagine her with short hair. If she cut it to a bob, she might look a little less like his sister. But if she got some form of a pixie cut, he could actually see himself in her. He didn't know if he wanted to place that as an issue of mistaken identity or familial ties, or uncanny valley. Either way, he didn't particularly like the idea. However, he didn't like seeing Ann disappointed in something trivial either. Another reminder at how soft he'd gotten because of her.
Zabuza~You could. I'm just worried it'd make our relation too obvious.
Ann~Oh…Can we just cut it a little shorter then?
Zabuza~Yeah. Remind me when we get home.

Zabuza and Haku finished washing and rinsed off before the three of them went into the water. There was another man with a young girl already there. The other people Zabuza had heard were from the women's side then.
Before Zabuza could stop Ann, she was already approaching the girl and introduced herself. The girl did as well before they started playing together. The man chuckled.
Kenta~I'm Kenta. Your daughter is very outgoing.
Zabuza~Zabuza. She is.
He was more annoyed that she didn't wait for his okay, but he also knew she couldn't defer to him once she was in the Leaf Village. Ann would need to figure out how to pick her friends by herself.
Kenta~Is she easy to handle though? My Emi tends to run off because of it.
Zabuza~Usually. Ann is good about listening.
He rolled his eyes when Ann pulled Haku to help braid their hair.
Kenta~He seems to be a good brother. Most siblings I see tend to fight each other.
Zabuza~They know better than to do that. They're pretty agreeable, luckily.
Kenta~I don’t mean to keep prying, but are you three new to the area? I haven't seen much of you yet.
Zabuza~Fairly new. Still settling in.
He hated small talk, but he had to tolerate it for the kids. They wouldn't learn social norms if he continued to shelter them. Maybe he could get some local gossip.
Zabuza~Are you native here? Have there been any problems we should be aware of?
Kenta~We're pretty far away, but I heard something went down in Water Country just a few weeks ago. Hopefully that doesn't pass through here.
Zabuza~Yeah, hopefully…Any news about the Leaf?
Kenta~There was a clan massacre earlier this year, but I haven't heard of anything since then.
Zabuza~Which clan?
He'd been so focused on the coup and Yagura that he couldn't be bothered about issues in the Leaf.
Kenta~It's crazy. It was the Uchiha clan. One of their own had done it and left only a single child untouched. Could you believe it?
Zabuza~Yeah, actually. I've seen my share of problems. At least there will be one person like Ann—last of their kind. She won't know it though, sadly.
Kenta~That's unfortunate. Did your kids see?
Zabuza~No. Before their time.
The girls and Haku came back. They all had a single French braid that started at their hair line and down their scalp.
Emi~Do you like it, Daddy?
Kenta~I do, sweetie. Did you thank them?
She nodded with a big smile.
Ann~I did Haku's, but it's kinda crooked.
Zabuza~Let me see.
Haku blushed and turned around.
Zabuza~It's straighter than you think. Just keep practicing.
Kenta~We're gonna head out now. It was nice chatting. And thank you, kiddos.
Zabuza~Yeah. Nice chat.
He listened to them leave as he watched Ann fuss at Haku's braid. He could only guess she was trying to straighten it without undoing the whole thing.