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Over the next few days, the twins came at dawn to train with the three of them until nightfall. During that time, the twins learned Ann's name as well, and Meizu knew not to question why she needed a hidden identity during the coup. However, it didn't make him any less of an idiot as he tried to ask questions about her without being obvious, or so he thought.
Zabuza~Roundabout questions with indirect answers about her aren't slick Meizu. Keep it up and you're no longer a tool.
Meizu~Yes, sir. Apologies…
The younger twin finally stopped pushing his luck when Zabuza was sword training with her.
Ann~Zabuza?
He hummed.
Ann~Can I try holding Bobo?
He smacked her head but still positioned his sword in front of her while taking away the other.
Zabuza~Learn to say its name correctly, brat. Remember to choke up. This is much heavier than the other one.
Ann placed her hands close to the guard and pulled it to test the weight. Zabuza understated how much heavier it was. She huffed, then built up her chakra for the strength to hold its weight on her own.
Zabuza let go and watched her stumble and wobble as she tried to figure out its balance and placement as the handle was so long. But after a moment, she was steady, even with the strain evident on her face.
Zabuza~Breathe brat. You did good. You can drop it when you're ready.
He patted her head as he went back towards the twins. When he stopped was when Ann's grip slipped and the sword dug into the ground with a thunk. Zabuza quietly enjoyed the panic and disbelief in the twins’ eyes.

After two weeks of training, on and off, Zabuza sent the twins to train on their own for a while so he could focus on Ann and Haku again. It was a few days since their last training session before he took the two with him to the hamlet to go to the bathhouse again.
Ann~Zabi?
He hummed.
Ann~You said a while ago that I leave in spring…that's soon, right?
Zabuza~Are you sure want to talk about it now? We can do it when we're home instead.
Ann~Can we get more ice cream if we do that?
Zabuza~Sure. I'll let you pick the flavor too.
Haku~You know she's going to indulge on that.
Ann~I won't…much…
Zabuza~It won’t be as bad as buttercream. Plus the two of you have encouraged Meizu and Gozu to push their potential. I'll let you guys indulge a bit.
Haku~Me too?
He gave an affirmative grunt as they got into town.
Ann~Can we have taiyaki on the way?
Zabuza~Only if we pass by one.

They didn't pass by one before they got to the baths, but Ann had already forgotten about it after she started talking about the things she observed.
They showered and went to soak shortly after. Surprisingly no one else was in the baths.
Ann~Why is there no one else?
Zabuza~Must be slow time.
Ann~Can I practice any water jutsus?
Zabuza~You can practice the mist. Anything else is too much for this space.
He held her hand a moment later.
Zabuza~Wait. I hear other people entering. Better to wait.
Ann~Oh…
Zabuza~I want you both to suppress your chakras. It doesn't feel like regular people. There's only 2 of them, but they feel off…I don't want attention to the brats…
Haku~Should we worry?
Zabuza~No, there's no need to leave right away. Just follow my lead.
He eyed where he was positioned and moved over so he could view more of the bath area in his peripherals. Ann moved so she could sit closer to his side while Haku stayed where he was.
Ann~I wonder why we're not just leaving.
Zabuza patted her head.
Zabuza~You can still move around. Just make sure your chakra's suppressed and stay near.
She nodded and moved a little closer to Haku to play with his hair.
Haku~It'll be fine, Ann.
After a short while of listening to the shower running, the new arrivals came into view. Zabuza immediately recognized Kisame because of his blue skin and the wrapped sword, but the person he was unfamiliar with. He looked young, probably only a few years older than Haku.
It wasn't until they sat down that Kisame recognized Zabuza.
Kisame~Zabuza, I thought you died during the coup.
Zabuza~You wish, fish paste. I'm surprised you managed to still be alive outside of the Mist.
Kisame growled and was about to move, but the younger man stopped him.
Kisame growled~Itachi…
Itachi~You clearly have a history, but you shouldn't do anything. There are children.
Kisame grunted in confusion and then noticed Ann and Haku. He paled at seeing Ann.
Itachi~Are you okay, Kisame? He's actually quiet…
Zabuza~If you keep staring at them, I'll put you on a registry.
He didn't have his sword while Kisame did, and the other swordsman was as strong as a jinchuriki, but Zabuza would fight Kisame if he said anything about Ann.
Ann didn't like how he was staring, but Haku moved to break the line of sight before she did anything or Zabuza said something.
Kisame scoffed~You've got a mark too, eyebrowless demon. What makes you think they'd help you?
Itachi~You can't do anything either, Kisame, as we have other things to do. Remember that there are civilians.
Ann~Zabuza, can we get something to eat?
Zabuza~Yeah. You two go ahead. I'll be there in a minute.
Ann and Haku got out while Zabuza kept his eyes on the other two.
Kisame~You got saddled with brats?
Zabuza~Like you're not?
Itachi~We have no interest in you or your wards. They're waiting for you too.
Zabuza grunted and left, listening closely to make sure neither of the two followed after him. When he saw the kids, he signaled that they don't speak yet. They quickly got dressed and left the bathhouse, Ann clinging to Zabuza's arm.

Zabuza got lunch to go and still stopped to get a pint of ice cream for each of them. He even managed to take them through to a drop to leave the twins a note about Kisame being in the area and to be on watch before they headed home. They took a different route from earlier, and Zabuza carried them the whole way back.
Ann~Zabi, are we safe? I didn't like those two at the baths…
Zabuza~We should be fine. That younger one said they had other business here. We'll just be cautious for the time being.
Haku~You knew the tall one. Was he a Mist ninja too?
Zabuza~Yeah. He's also a Swordsman. That thing he carried with him was his sword.
Ann~Why do you call him fish paste?
Zabuza~His clan has shark related attributes and jutsus. Calling him that gets under his skin and usually gets him distracted enough to forget what he was doing.
They soon got home and Zabuza sent the two inside to put away the ice cream and start eating while he went to reinforce the current traps and wards.