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A week passed. They continued their training again like Zabuza said, and he even allowed them to bring their rabbit along with clear instructions that it stays in its crate if they were both training or were asleep. Then on the planned rest day, Zabuza told Ann about his past, because if she reacted negatively, he'd rather it happen at home.
Zabuza~Ann, how much of being an assassin do you understand?
Ann~You’re given a target and you eliminate them…We're not going on one, right?
Zabuza~No. I'm sure you know what I've done from the missions I've taken, but I need to make sure you understand the meaning of it all.
Ann~I understand that it means you've killed people…It didn't feel good, Zabi…Having to do that doesn't feel good…
She bit her lip.
Zabuza~That's what I wanted to talk about.
Haku~Zabuza, are you sure?
Ann~You know what he's talking about?
Zabuza~I told him already, months ago. I'm telling you out of necessity. Ninjas like to gossip, and I've made a reputation for myself outside of what you know. I'd rather you hear it from me than from some stuck-up ninja.
He took their plates to put in the sink and then sat back down at the table with them.
Ann~What happened? Is it related to the Mizukage?
Zabuza~It isn't recent. It was when I was a little older than you when people started paying attention to me. I tried to make sure you didn't have to enter that so soon, but that didn't happen. And it happened on my watch, too.
He ran his fingers through his hair.
Zabuza~The Mist doesn't do it anymore, but the academy's graduation requirement used to pit students against each other to the death.
Ann~That's…that's so…Zabi did you…?
Zabuza~Heh, I wish I could say that was all I did. There's a reason I'm called the Demon of the Hidden Mist, brat. Even as a child, I was ruthless. I wasn't enrolled in the academy yet, Ann, and I went out of my way and killed every single kid during that graduation “ceremony.” I'm the reason they finally stopped that ritual.
Ann studied his face. He had a smirk, but it was cold, and his eyes sharp. It looked the same as the weeks leading up to the coup. She started scratching at her hand again.
He turned to look at her, and his eyes softened. He reached over to separate her hands.
Zabuza~I'm not gonna lie. It used to be something I was proud of.
Ann~Used to?
She started scratching again, and then Haku held her hand to keep her from continuing.
Zabuza~Yeah. Then your mother dumped you in my care with instructions to make sure you get to the Leaf. Seeing you grow up made me agree with her. The life we had shouldn't be what you grow into.
Ann~What about before me though?
Zabuza~It's all I knew, and I was praised for it.
Haku~So Ann changed you?
Zabuza~Don’t make me sound like a sap…*sigh* But yeah. She did.
Ann~But…you still can't say it…
He hummed and nodded.
Zabuza~I know…Words are difficult. That's why I raised you the way I did. You can say the things I can't.
Ann nodded. She tried to scratch her hand again, but haku was still holding her other hand.
Haku~Please stop, Ann. You don’t need to do that. There’s other ways to cope.
Her breath hitched, and then she sniffled.
Zabuza~If you hadn't done that to them, they would have done it to me. You didn't do anything wrong. The circumstances were really shitty.
Ann~Would they…I don't want to again…They were still people…
Her eyes welled up.
Zabuza~At that moment, they were tools…Weapons on the command of another person.
Ann~Being a weapon hurts…Y-you’re not going to do that to us again, right?
Tears ran down her face, but she tried not to cry.
Zabuza~No. I won't. It was shitty circumstances where keeping you and Haku at my side was the best option available.
He wanted to take her into his lap, but Haku was still holding her hand. She was still grounded for now. Ann could reach for him if she needed more than just Haku.
Haku~Zabuza, was…was this everything?
Zabuza~The coup, the thing we had to run from, I'm already hearing people say I did it for power, that I wanted the seat for myself.
He laughed bitterly.
Zabuza~Let them believe that. It means no one is aware of you, Ann. And it means I can still move around under the guise of being a demon. There's still a lot I need to do.
Ann~Why do you need to? What do you still need to do?
Zabuza~Yagura is still in power. I still need to kill him.
Ann~Why does he want me?...
She remembered the look the man gave her just before they ran out of the office. He knew who she was.
Zabuza~You would have been a weapon under him. And only that. I forced that role on you, I know, but it was to have more control of the situation. Using you as a tool defeats the purpose of trying to send you the Leaf.
Ann nodded. Following directions wasn't the issue. It was the nothingness that went with it. Like when they did that training to learn the vital points. That lesson still didn't sit well with her.
Zabuza~You have nothing to worry about. Your training is just to make sure you can hold your own without me, like I said before. I don't expect you to do anything that's compromising. I'll take care of doing that.
Ann~H-how many people have you killed?
He looked down. He's killed hundreds, and there was no way to soften that answer.
Zabuza~Too many. I don't keep a tally. There's no reason for it.
Haku squeezed her hand.
Haku~Do you have more questions, Ann?
Ann~Is there anything you CAN tell me? There's always something you can't…
Zabuza~Nothing new, and nothing that I'm allowed to share yet either. Your mother already told me I can't. Not until it's time.
Ann~Okay…that's not fair…
Zabuza~It's her will. I'm not getting my a** handed by her again. She'd find a way to do it even though she's dead. Like how she got you to call me a stupid ******** dumbass that one time…
Ann~Wh-what do you mean?
She wiped her eyes.
Zabuza~I thought I told you before. Your mother is my OLDER sister. She terrorizes me. And knowing her, she'd manage to torture me in my dreams. And I wish that was an understatement.
He rolled his eyes then checked on Ann. She was trying to hide her laughter while holding in her tears. Zabuza got up and picked her up
Ann~H-huh?
Zabuza~Emotions take a lot of energy. You don't need to keep going for now. Take some time to process this and take a nap. Nothing changes just because you know more about my life outside of you, brat.
Ann~O-okay…will you stay?
Zabuza~Yeah. Haku, you're welcome to rest if you need a break too.
He carried Ann to his room so Haku could decide without pressure from him. The boy still made decisions based on his expectations sometimes, even if he gave him the option to not worry.

He settled on his bed and held Ann in his lap.
Ann~Did you like me when I was small?
Zabuza~No. I was only 14 when she asked me to watch you.
Ann~Do you like me now?
Zabuza~You’re a pain in my a**, but yeah, I do.
She pulled at his shirt.
Zabuza~Do you still trust me?
He felt her nod into his chest, and he quietly sighed in relief. He didn't realize how important that was to him.
Zabuza~Good. I'm here for you. Whatever you need. That will never change, okay?
Ann~Okay…I love you, Zabi…
He almost growled. It's been well over a year since she started saying that to him, and he still can't say the words back. Ann even called him out on it earlier.
Zabuza~I do, too. I really do…
He kissed the top of her head and held her tighter.
Ann~Mom wants me to go to the Leaf, right?
Zabuza~Yeah…If I had the choice I'd keep you with me, or stay with you. Either way, that isn't possible.
He brushed her hair back. Then he realized the underlying meaning of her question.
Zabuza~Do you have doubts about why you're going there?
She shrugged, pulling his shirt more.
Zabuza~It's okay if you do. You trust me though. Trust that I'm not just sending you away. I've kept you close and safe.
Zabuza looked up just before Haku knocked on the door. He motioned for Haku to come in.
Haku~I brought you guys some water. Dishes are clean.
He placed two water bottles on the nightstand. Zabuza hummed, then felt Ann hit him. He scoffed.
Zabuza~Thank you, Haku.
Haku~Of course. Call if you need anything.
He didn't get to turn around when Ann reached out and grabbed his shirt.
Ann~No…stay…
Zabuza pulled Haku onto the bed to sit with them before he could protest, and then Ann pulled him closer, making him blush.
Haku~Ann?
Ann~I don't want to go…I wanna stay…
Haku looked up at Zabuza, and all he could do was sigh. Neither of them knew what to say to comfort her.
Zabuza~I know, Ann. I know…I'll…We'll be here.
Ann nodded and hiccupped, tears running down her face again.
Haku~We love you, Ann. That will never change.

Ann eventually fell asleep, and so did Haku. Zabuza was left alone with his thoughts, trying to plan out the next couple of months to avoid thinking about his bloody past or quiet future without Ann.
There was still one more jutsu he wanted Ann to learn, and she still had a long way to go with her sword training.
Haku had technically surpassed Ann. His chakra control was exceptional, and he could see that Haku's now holding back to help Ann learn control. Not only that, but it often seemed like he could read their moods by sensing their shift in chakra.
He just needed to continue focusing on his kekkei genkai. The boy's ice mirrors would be formidable soon if he kept progressing at this rate. Zabuza could slow him down by teaching him pressure points and acupuncture.
Zabuza eventually laid them down, undisturbed, and made his way to the kitchen to make a snack for the kids. He sliced some fruit and grabbed a sleeve of crackers and cheese sticks to bring to the table.
Then he went back to the bedroom, waking Haku first to use the bathroom. Zabuza scooped Ann into his arms again and brushed her hair back.
Zabuza~Ann, time to get up.
She grumbled and stretched, then curled back into him, making him roll his eyes.
Zabuza~Come on, demon. Wake up.
Ann~Why demon?
Zabuza~Do you prefer brat?
Ann~I'm not sure…Maybe like Mei?
He scoffed and set her down.
Zabuza~I'm not calling you dear or sweety. That's saccharine.
Ann~It sounds better from you.
Zabuza~Unless I'm dying, you're not gonna hear me say either of those again.
They walked out to the table, where Haku was already sitting.
Ann~What's for snacks?
Haku~Apples, peaches, crackers, cheese.
Ann~Why do we use peaches as a passcode?
Zabuza~Our clan name means peach soil. I didn't pick out the peach motif though. It is more subtle than an oni mask, though.
Ann~It should be a dragon, like Zaza or Pookie.
Zabuza~You can name your dragon whatever you want but stop calling mine Zaza. You called me that for a time before settling on Zabi. I'd rather not accidentally respond to it…
Ann pouted~But it's cute…
Zabuza sighed, and Haku couldn't help but giggle at them.