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Later in the evening, when Ann finished her part of evening chores, she sat back at the table.
Zabuza~Is something wrong?
Ann~Earlier…It's still bothering me…
He hummed. Then he pushed Haku towards the table from washing dishes, and joined them with the ice cream from earlier. Ann opened hers and started to scoop.
Zabuza~What's bothering you?
Ann~The blue one. He seemed to know me…The twins did that too…
She had a bite of ice cream while Haku opened his.
Zabuza~Yeah. I've told you before you look like your mother. She also has a reputation. You terrified them because of recognition.
Haku~Isn't recognition something we wanted to avoid?
Zabuza~It is. But genetics isn't something that can be altered easily. And the easy solutions aren't ideal.
He opened his ice cream and took a scoop.
Zabuza~That's why I want you to learn how to lay low. If you act like you don't know anything then you have enough deniability for it to be a coincidence.
Ann~What?
He sighed. He still forgets that he needs to use lower vocabulary when explaining tactical moves.
Zabuza~If you know how to pull back and act like I didn't teach you all these techniques, you can pretend that you have no relation to your mother and just happen to look like her.
Ann~Oh. Why again can't people know I'm a Momochi?
Zabuza~It's part of the stuff I can't tell you yet. It gets complicated anyways.
Ann~Okay…Do you know anything about the other guy?
Zabuza~No. I could read that he's extremely perceptive. Potentially stronger than Kisame too. Or at the very least Kisame has enough respect for him to hold back.
Haku~Since he's with Kisame, is it possible that he's as strong as him?
Zabuza~Possible. But he seemed more level headed and task oriented. I'm not as worried about him as I am with an unleashed shark.
Ann~Okay. When was I supposed to leave again?
Zabuza~In about two weeks, at the end of the month.
Ann~Oh…That soon already?
Zabuza~Yeah. I've pushed it as far back as I could already. Waiting longer means more of a chance for bad weather. It's a 4-day walk from here with rest.
Haku~Is there really no way for us to take her there?
Zabuza~Not with me around, no. It's too risky. I could also send the two of you together, but that's even less ideal.
Haku~Because I'm not part of the conditions for Ann being there?
Zabuza~Partially, yes. But also because of the lack of communication. Haku, if you go with Ann and they decide to take you in too, you also cannot contact me.
He patted their heads.
Zabuza~Once you leave for the leaf, and the minute you go through those walls, you have no relation to me anymore.
They both nodded, and Ann pulled the pint closer.
Ann~You said I'll get a keepsake?
Zabuza~Yeah. I'll have it ready before you leave. Don't worry.
Ann~Okay…Zabi?
Zabuza hummed as he was having another bite.
Ann~I don't want to go…
She wiped her eyes.
Zabuza~I know, brat…but it's what your mom wanted. I’m not in a position to go against that.
Haku~What do you mean, Zabuza?
Zabuza~It’s a part of her reputation. I don’t like how I still fear her even in death. She can figure something out to terrorize me if I don’t do what she says.
Ann giggled despite how she was feeling. Zabuza scoffed, but still smirked.
Zabuza~I’ve told you before, we fought a lot and it turned into a game. Sometimes the game turns back into fighting. I’ve never won.
Ann~So, what do I do?
Zabuza~Pace yourself as you travel. If you run there you could burn out from overusing your chakra. Stay on the main road, and camp the way we do when we train. If you’re in a town, find an inn to stay at. You could travel at night but I wouldn't advise it.
He closed his ice cream and placed the spoon on top.
Zabuza~When you arrive there, go straight to the Hokage and give him the scroll. Everything else is taken care of. Hopefully you don't get stopped at the gate, but if you do, answer truthfully without revealing your connections to the Mist or me. Insist on seeing the Hokage.
Ann~That sounds easier said than done though…
Zabuza~It does. Usually others will give in to your needs if you cry though. That's a perk of being a small child.
Ann~Why?
Haku~For the same reason you can make Zabuza do whatever you want. They don't want to handle a crying child.
Zabuza~Brat, don't phrase it that way.
He got up and put away his ice cream and dropped the spoon in the sink.
Zabuza~If you're done with those, put it away and get ready for bed. You have an hour before lights out.

Later that evening, after Ann was sent to bed, Haku sat with Zabuza and held his hand. The man gave his hand a light squeeze.
Zabuza~Did you need something, Haku?
Haku~You’re not ready to let her go, are you?
Zabuza~No…Not really. What about you? You’ve only known us for a few months.
Haku~I will miss her too. I already am.
They sat in silence for a few moments, not moving.
Haku~Zabuza?
Zabuza~Yeah?
Haku~What did you plan on getting Ann? Is it something I can help with?
Zabuza~I wanted to get her a photograph of us. It's stupid because of how risky it is, but I can't give her her mother's locket either. That's also dangerous.
Haku~Because it reveals who her father is?
Zabuza~Yes. You can make her something. Or if there's something you want to get her, I could shop for it too. Just tell me.
Haku~Yes, Zabuza. What are we doing until it's time?
Zabuza~Pack and train. If we focus only on when she leaves, it won't end well for any of us…I…
He squeezed Haku's hand again before getting up.
Zabuza~I've gone soft…So ******** soft with that brat…*deep sigh* I’m hesitating around her too much…
He ran his hand through his hair before turning to the boy.
Zabuza~Go to bed Haku. It’s getting late, and I need to go to town tomorrow.
Haku~Are you going to close up after she leaves?
He stopped, and turned back to the boy.
Zabuza~What are you worried about?
Haku~I…I don't want to be away from you too…I don't want to be disposed of…
The man patted his head.
Zabuza~I'm not getting rid of you. You're staying with me indefinitely.
Haku~Thank you, Zabuza…

The next day, Zabuza left Ann and Haku with the reminder of the failsafe routine. He found Haku’s request for yarn interesting, but didn’t question it. The boy only asked for white yarn and not an arrangement of colors, so whatever he planned on making with it didn’t seem to be all that complicated.
When Zabuza returned that afternoon, Haku took his yarn to his room before returning to help with putting away the groceries. The man even noticed Haku try to hide the cranberry juice he asked for as well, but he didn’t get time to mull it over as he needed to pull Ann away from the snacks she asked for.

Over the next couple of days, Haku worked on unraveling the yarn and continuously poking it with one of his needles. He even colored some of the yarn by using the cranberry juice to turn it pink and using some charcoal to turn it black. After a week and a half of poking, Haku had made a felted sculpture of Usa-chan, which included the black spots in its nose that made it heart-shaped. Ann hugged him tight when he gave it to her.

A few days later, Zabuza took Ann and Haku into town again. He hadn’t seen any signs of Kisame or his partner since their encounter at the bathhouse. Before they went to shop for groceries, Zabuza took them to a little shop, with blown up photographs of people and scenery. They took a single photo and went on their way, being told that they could pick up their picture in a few hours.